Nasopharyngeal Infection by Streptococcus Pyogenes Requires Superantigen-Responsive Vβ-Specific T Cells
Nasopharyngeal infection by Streptococcus pyogenes requires superantigen-responsive Vβ-specific T cells Joseph J. Zeppaa, Katherine J. Kaspera, Ivor Mohorovica, Delfina M. Mazzucaa, S. M. Mansour Haeryfara,b,c,d, and John K. McCormicka,c,d,1 aDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada; bDepartment of Medicine, Division of Clinical Immunology & Allergy, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 5A5, Canada; cCentre for Human Immunology, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada; and dLawson Health Research Institute, London, ON N6C 2R5, Canada Edited by Philippa Marrack, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, and approved July 14, 2017 (received for review January 18, 2017) The globally prominent pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes secretes context of invasive streptococcal disease is extremely dangerous, potent immunomodulatory proteins known as superantigens with a mortality rate of over 30% (10). (SAgs), which engage lateral surfaces of major histocompatibility The role of SAgs in severe human infections has been well class II molecules and T-cell receptor (TCR) β-chain variable domains established (5, 11, 12), and specific MHC-II haplotypes are known (Vβs). These interactions result in the activation of numerous Vβ- risk factors for the development of invasive streptococcal disease specific T cells, which is the defining activity of a SAg. Although (13), an outcome that has been directly linked to SAgs (14, 15). streptococcal SAgs are known virulence factors in scarlet fever However, how these exotoxins contribute to superficial disease and and toxic shock syndrome, mechanisms by how SAgs contribute colonization is less clear.
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