TABLE 2.
Human Vβ expansion induced by S. aureus superantigens, as detected with the IOTest Beta Mark kit
| Toxin | TCR Vβa |
|---|---|
| SEA | 5.2, 5.3, 7.2, 9, 16, 18, 22 |
| SEB | 3, 12, 13.2, 14, 17, 20 |
| SEC | 3, 12, 13.2, 14, 17, 20 |
| SED | 1, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 |
| SEE | 5.1, 8, 16, 18, 21.3 |
| SEG | 3, 13.1, 13.2, 14 |
| SEH | 6.7, 8 |
| SEI | 1, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 |
| SElJ | 8, 21.3 |
| SElK | 1, 5.1, 5.2, 6.7 |
| SElL | 1, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 7.1, 16, 22, 23 |
| SElM | 21.3 |
| SElN | 9 |
| SElO | 7.1 |
| SElP | 5.1, 8, 16, 18, 21.3 |
| SElQ | 6.7, 21.3 |
| SER | 3, 12, 14 |
| SElU | 13.2, 14 |
| SElV | 6.7, 18, 21.3 |
| TSST-1 | 2 |
Purified recombinant toxins were tested for their ability to induce the selective expansion of T cells bearing particular TCR Vβ regions in PBMC culture. Vβ profiles were determined by flow cytometry with the IOTest Beta Mark kit completed with a Vβ6.7 antibody. Experiments were done in triplicate with cells from three donors. Since the percentage of Vβ subsets varies between blood donors and after PBMC stimulation by PHA, we expressed the results as ratios of the percentage of TCR Vβ expansion induced by each toxin relative to that by PHA. Only Vβ subsets that were more abundant with the toxin than with PHA among cells with the three donors were considered to be significantly expanded (Mann-Whitney test, P = 0.037) and are indicated.