Unexpected heterogeneity of multifunctional T cells in response to superantigen stimulation in humans

作者：McArthur Monica A; Sztein Marcelo B^*

来源：Clinical Immunology, 2013, 146(2): 140-152.

DOI：10.1016/j.clim.2012.12.003

• IL-17A
• Multifunctional T cells
• Superantigen
• T(H)17
• Staphylococcal enterotoxin B

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a potentially life threatening condition characterized by fever, rash, shock, and multi-organ failure. Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) is a well characterized superantigen that has been shown to play an important role in TSS. Although the precise mechanisms by which SEB and other superantigens cause TSS are unknown, induction of a pro-inflammatory cytokine cascade appears central to this phenomenon. We show that CD4+ and CD8+ Teffector/memory (T-EM) and other subsets produce IL-17A following SEB stimulation. We also show that IL-17A is co-produced with other pro-inflammatory cytokines (i.e., IL-2, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha). These responses are significantly different than those elicited by mitogenic stimulation. Multifunctional IL-17A producing cells possess markers typical of the T(H)17/T(C)17 and T(H)1 subsets, including CCR6, IL-22, and transcription factors retinoic acid receptor-related orphan nuclear receptor (ROR)-gamma t and T-bet. These results suggest a possible role for IL-17A-producing multifunctional T cells in the pathogenesis of TSS.

• 出版日期2013-2