Superantigens but not mitogens are capable of inducing upregulation of E‐selectin ligands on human T lymphocytes

TM Zollner, V Nuber, AM Duijvestijn… - Experimental …, 1997 - Wiley Online Library
TM Zollner, V Nuber, AM Duijvestijn, WH Boehncke, R Kaufmann
Experimental Dermatology, 1997Wiley Online Library
Bacterial infections can exacerbate immune mediated dermatoses, possibly via
Superantigens produced by these bacteria. Therefore, we asked whether Superantigens
induce the expression of adhesion molecules which may then facilitate invasion of highly
activated T cells into different organs. The influence of exfoliative toxin (ET) and toxic shock
syndrome toxin‐1 (TSST‐1) stimulation on the expression of a broad panel of adhesion and
coslimulatory molecules was investigated by flow cytometry. We found that only the E …
Abstract
Bacterial infections can exacerbate immune mediated dermatoses, possibly via Superantigens produced by these bacteria. Therefore, we asked whether Superantigens induce the expression of adhesion molecules which may then facilitate invasion of highly activated T cells into different organs. The influence of exfoliative toxin (ET) and toxic shock syndrome toxin‐1 (TSST‐1) stimulation on the expression of a broad panel of adhesion and coslimulatory molecules was investigated by flow cytometry. We found that only the E‐selectin ligands cutaneous lymphocyte‐associated antigen (CLA) and sialylated Lewisx (CD15s) are significantly upregulated by these Superantigens but not by mitogen stimulation. In contrast, the mucosal lymphocyte‐associated antigen (MLA) recognized by the monoclonal antibody Ber‐Act8 was.not differentially induced by mitogen or superantigen stimulation. Therefore, T lymphocyte stimulation by bacterial Superantigens might directly influence their skin homing capacity. Furthermore, the superantigen‐driven induction of CD15s ‐ an adhesion molecule which is absent or only weakly expressed by resting or mitogen stimulated T cells may indicate a role of this antigen for T cell skin homing. An additional adhesion pathway via E‐selectin may thus be available to lymphocytes, comparable to granulocyles which constitutively express CD15s.
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