Abstract

Toxic shock syndrome toxin 1(TSST-l) is a potent immunomodulating substance isolated from Staphylococcus aureus strains associated with toxic shock syndrome (TSS). Flow cytometric analysis was used to compare scatter changes in several cell-surface phenotype markers on human mononuclear cells exposed in vitro to TSST-l or to phytohemagglutinin, a lectin with similar effects on the immune response. The results showed differences between PHA and TSST-l in the appearance of the tested T cell subset markers and of interleukin 2 receptors. In general, the stimulation of mononuclear cells by TSST-l was slower than that by phytohemagglutinin. TSST-l induced the production of interferon in cultures of murine spleen cells. By means of inhibition studies with specific antibodies to interferon, the interferon produced was characterized as the γ type. Human mononuclear cells exposed to the toxin also produced y interferon, with levels similar to those induced by staphylococcal enterotoxin A, a known potent interferon inducer. The induction of γ interferon by TSST-l may playa role in the immunosuppression caused by TSST-l.

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