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. 1994 Apr;62(4):1228–1235. doi: 10.1128/iai.62.4.1228-1235.1994

Role of human major histocompatibility complex DQ molecules in superantigenicity of streptococcus-derived protein.

Y Esaki 1, Y Fukui 1, T Sudo 1, K Yamamoto 1, T Inamitsu 1, Y Nishimura 1, K Hirokawa 1, A Kimura 1, T Sasazuki 1
PMCID: PMC186263  PMID: 8132329

Abstract

Antigenicity of peptic extract from type 12 group A streptococci (PEAST12) for T cells was examined in major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II transgenic mice. PEAST12 was mitogenic for murine T cells when antigen-presenting cells were obtained from human MHC (HLA)-DQ4 alpha beta transgenic mice or from DQ6 alpha beta transgenic mice but was not mitogenic in DR alpha transgenic, DR51 alpha beta transgenic, E alpha transgenic, or nontransgenic mice. In addition, PEAST12 showed mitogenicity for murine T cells in DQ4 alpha singly transgenic mice but not in DQ4 beta singly transgenic mice. T-cell stimulation by PEAST12 was unrestricted by but dependent on the expression of HLA-DQ molecules on antigen-presenting cells, and PEAST12 selectively activated T-cell receptor V beta 11-, V beta 15-, and V beta 18-positive T cells in mice. We propose that PEAST12 contains a superantigen which binds preferentially to the alpha-chain of HLA-DQ molecules. The well-known phenomenon that peptic extracts from group A streptococci are mitogenic in humans but not in mice is likely due to structural differences in MHC class II molecules between these two species of mammals.

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Selected References

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