Human pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine patterns induced by Streptococcus pyogenes erythrogenic (pyrogenic) exotoxin A and C superantigens

Infect Immun. 1996 Apr;64(4):1450-3. doi: 10.1128/iai.64.4.1450-1453.1996.

Abstract

The superantigenic streptococcal erythrogenic toxins A and C (ETA/SPEA and ETC/SPEC) elicit the production by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells of substantial amounts of Th1-derived cytokines (interleukin-2 [IL-2] and gamma interferon) as well as anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10 and IL-1 receptor antagonist). In contrast, very low levels of IL-4 and no alpha interferon were induced. The production of these cytokines after stimulation with Streptococcus pyogenes heat-killed bacteria and lipopolysaccharide from gram negative bacteria differed qualitatively and quantitatively from that elicited by the superantigens.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins*
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis*
  • Exotoxins / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein
  • Interleukin-10 / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-2 / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-4 / biosynthesis
  • Membrane Proteins*
  • Sialoglycoproteins / biosynthesis
  • Streptococcus pyogenes / immunology*
  • Superantigens / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Cytokines
  • Exotoxins
  • IL1RN protein, human
  • Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein
  • Interleukin-2
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Sialoglycoproteins
  • SpeA protein, Streptococcus pyogenes
  • Superantigens
  • erythrogenic toxin
  • Interleukin-10
  • Interleukin-4
  • Interferon-gamma