Abstract
Streptococcal mitogenic exotoxin Z (SMEZ), a superantigen derived from Streptococcus pyogenes, provoked expansion of human lymphocytes expressing the Vbeta 2, 4, 7 and 8 motifs of T-cell receptor. SMEZ was pyrogenic in rabbits and stimulated the expression of the T-cell activation markers CD69 and cutaneous lymphocyte-associated antigen. A variety of cytokines was released by human mononuclear leukocytes stimulated with SMEZ, which was 10-fold more active than streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin A. Th2-derived cytokines were elicited only by superantigens and not by streptococcal cells.
Publication types
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Comparative Study
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Bacterial Proteins*
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Bacterial Toxins / immunology*
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Cytokines / metabolism*
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Exotoxins / immunology*
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Humans
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Membrane Proteins*
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Pyrogens / immunology*
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Rabbits
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Streptococcus pyogenes / immunology*
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Streptococcus pyogenes / pathogenicity
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Superantigens / immunology*
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T-Lymphocytes / immunology
Substances
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Bacterial Proteins
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Bacterial Toxins
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Cytokines
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Exotoxins
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Membrane Proteins
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Pyrogens
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SpeA protein, Streptococcus pyogenes
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Superantigens
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erythrogenic toxin
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mitogenic exotoxin Z protein, Streptococcus