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. 1996 Apr;64(4):1450–1453. doi: 10.1128/iai.64.4.1450-1453.1996

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

H Müller-Alouf 1, J E Alouf 1, D Gerlach 1, J H Ozegowski 1, C Fitting 1, J M Cavaillon 1
PMCID: PMC173942  PMID: 8606117

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.

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Selected References

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