Abstract
The V beta repertoire of T cells of patients with gram-positive group A streptococcal (GAS) and non-GAS infections was analyzed to seek evidence for the role of superantigens in streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. No evidence of V beta overexpression but a consistent pattern of depletion of V beta 1, V beta 5.1, and V beta 12 was observed in patients with severe GAS infections. This pattern of V beta depletion was not observed in patients with nonsevere GAS infections or with severe non-GAS gram-positive infections. T cells from patients with severe GAS infections showed evidence of apoptosis; no apoptosis was found when there was no evidence of V beta depletion. There was no correlation with streptococcal M or T serotype or known spe genes. The depletion of specific V beta-bearing T cells in patients with severe GAS infections supports the role of a superantigen in these infections. The in vivo pattern of V beta specificity implicates a novel superantigen(s) in this disease.
Publication types
-
Comparative Study
-
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
-
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
-
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
-
Adolescent
-
Adult
-
Aged
-
Antigens, Bacterial*
-
Apoptosis
-
Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins*
-
Bacterial Proteins / analysis
-
Base Sequence
-
Carrier Proteins*
-
Case-Control Studies
-
Exotoxins / biosynthesis
-
Exotoxins / genetics
-
Female
-
Humans
-
Male
-
Membrane Proteins*
-
Middle Aged
-
Molecular Sequence Data
-
Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / analysis*
-
Shock, Septic / immunology*
-
Shock, Septic / microbiology
-
Streptococcal Infections / immunology*
-
Streptococcal Infections / microbiology
-
Streptococcus pyogenes / classification
-
Streptococcus pyogenes / genetics
-
Streptococcus pyogenes / immunology*
-
Superantigens / immunology*
-
T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
-
T-Lymphocytes / pathology
Substances
-
Antigens, Bacterial
-
Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins
-
Bacterial Proteins
-
Carrier Proteins
-
Exotoxins
-
Membrane Proteins
-
Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta
-
SpeA protein, Streptococcus pyogenes
-
Superantigens
-
erythrogenic toxin
-
streptococcal M protein