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Evidence for superantigen production by Yersinia pseudotuberculosis
1Department of Allergy and Immunology, National Children's Medical Research Center, Tokyo, Japan.
Journal of Immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)
|October 15, 1993
Summary
Yersinia pseudotuberculosis produces superantigenic toxins that activate specific T cells. These toxins may contribute to the systemic symptoms observed in Y. pseudotuberculosis infections.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Pathogenesis
Background:
- Yersinia pseudotuberculosis causes various symptoms including fever, rash, diarrhea, and arthritis.
- Histopathology shows lymphoid hyperplasia, suggesting T lymphocyte involvement in infection pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the mitogenic activity of Y. pseudotuberculosis culture supernatants.
- To investigate the mechanism of T cell activation by these supernatants.
Main Methods:
- Assessed mitogenic activity of Y. pseudotuberculosis culture supernatants and purified fractions.
- Investigated T cell stimulation using specific T cell receptor V beta chains and HLA class II-transfected fibroblasts.
- Tested neutralization with antibodies against known staphylococcal superantigens.
Main Results:
- Culture supernatants selectively stimulated T cells bearing V beta 3, V beta 9, V beta 13.1, and V beta 13.2.
- Fibroblasts presented Y. pseudotuberculosis supernatants to T cells via HLA class II molecules (HLA-DPw9, -DQw6, -DR1, -DR4 Dw15).
- T cell response was not HLA-DR restricted and not neutralized by anti-staphylococcal superantigen antibodies.
Conclusions:
- Yersinia pseudotuberculosis produces superantigenic toxins.
- These toxins may mediate systemic illnesses associated with Y. pseudotuberculosis infection.