Lethal shock induced by streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin A in mice transgenic for human leukocyte antigen-DQ8 and human CD4 receptors: Implications for development of vaccines and therapeutics

Brent C. Welcher, John H. Carra, Luis DaSilva, Juli Hanson, Chella S. David, M. Javad Aman, Sina Bavari

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

34 Scopus citations

Abstract

Streptococcal and staphylococcal infections result in significant human morbidity and mortality. This study used a transgenic murine model expressing human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II and human CD4 in which, without additional toxic sensitization, human-like responses to the bacterial superantigen (SAg) streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin A (SpeA) could be simulated, as determined by studying multiple biologic effects of the SAgs in vivo. Expression of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DQ8 rendered the mice susceptible to SpeA-induced lethal shock that was accompanied by massive cytokine production and marked elevation of serum alanine and aspartate aminotransferase levels. Of importance, this model enabled examination of the efficacy of an engineered non-SAg vaccine candidate against SpeA in the context of HLA. This report is thought to be the first of a lethal shock triggered in mice by bacterial SAgs without prior sensitization and examination of a vaccine against streptococcal SAg in the context of human MHC receptors.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)501-510
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Infectious Diseases
Volume186
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 15 2002

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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