Superantigens may play an important role in cancer, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), and arthritis, and staphylococcal enterotoxins are prototype superantigens. The objective of this proposal is to determine the structural basis for staphylococcal enterotoxin superantigen activation of lymphocytes. In particular, the P.I. proposes to determine the structural basis for staphylococcal enterotoxin interaction with both major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules on antigen-presenting cells and T-cell receptors (TCR) on responding T lymphocytes. This will entail determination of the following structures: certain staphylococcal enterotoxin superantigens, superantigen sites which interact with receptors, and receptor sites which are bound by these superantigens. These studies should help identify structural motifs which convey the property of superantigenicity, and provide insights into how to modulate such activity. The P.I. proposes to achieve the objective through the specific aims which follow: (1) Identify the binding site(s) on staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) for MHC class II molecules and TCR using peptides, recombinant native and mutant molecules, and their antibodies; (2) Determine the structures of SEA and TSST-1 peptides as well as recombinant native and mutant molecules to facilitate identification of structural motifs which convey the property of superantigenicity for possible identification of other superantigens in a variety of systems; (3) Determine the agonist / antagonist properties of SEA and TSST-1 receptor binding peptides and recombinant mutant molecules for enhancement of these properties through peptide engineering; (4) Identify the site(s) on MHC class II molecules and TCR that bind SEA and TSST-1; (5) Determine the modulating effect of enterotoxin superantigens on autoimmune diseases such as experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE); and (6) Determine the structural basis for the interaction of the minor lymphocyte stimulating (Mls) superantigens with MHC class II molecules and TCR and its possible relationship to staphylococcal enterotoxin binding to receptors.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Method to Extend Research in Time (MERIT) Award (R37)
Project #
5R37AI025904-14
Application #
6362289
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (NSS)
Program Officer
Ridge, John P
Project Start
1988-03-01
Project End
2003-02-28
Budget Start
2001-03-01
Budget End
2002-02-28
Support Year
14
Fiscal Year
2001
Total Cost
$313,740
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Florida
Department
Microbiology/Immun/Virology
Type
Schools of Earth Sciences/Natur
DUNS #
073130411
City
Gainesville
State
FL
Country
United States
Zip Code
32611
Torres, Barbara A; Perrin, George Q; Mujtaba, Mustafa G et al. (2002) Superantigen enhancement of specific immunity: antibody production and signaling pathways. J Immunol 169:2907-14
Soos, Jeanne M; Mujtaba, Mustafa G; Schiffenbauer, Joel et al. (2002) Intramolecular epitope spreading induced by staphylococcal enterotoxin superantigen reactivation of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis. J Neuroimmunol 123:30-4
Kominsky, S L; Torres, B A; Hobeika, A C et al. (2001) Superantigen enhanced protection against a weak tumor-specific melanoma antigen: implications for prophylactic vaccination against cancer. Int J Cancer 94:834-41
Torres, B A; Kominsky, S; Perrin, G Q et al. (2001) Superantigens: the good, the bad, and the ugly. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 226:164-76
Subramaniam, P S; Green, M M; Larkin 3rd, J et al. (2001) Nuclear translocation of IFN-gamma is an intrinsic requirement for its biologic activity and can be driven by a heterologous nuclear localization sequence. J Interferon Cytokine Res 21:951-9
Mujtaba, M G; Villarete, L; Johnson, H M (1999) IFN-tau inhibits IgE production in a murine model of allergy and in an IgE-producing human myeloma cell line. J Allergy Clin Immunol 104:1037-44
Perrin, G Q; Johnson, H M; Subramaniam, P S (1999) Mechanism of interleukin-10 inhibition of T-helper cell activation by superantigen at the level of the cell cycle. Blood 93:208-16
Mujtaba, M G; Streit, W J; Johnson, H M (1998) IFN-tau suppresses both the autoreactive humoral and cellular immune responses and induces stable remission in mice with chronic experimental allergic encephalomyelitis. Cell Immunol 186:94-102
Torres, B A; Johnson, H M (1998) Modulation of disease by superantigens. Curr Opin Immunol 10:465-70
Torres, B A; Tanabe, T; Subramaniam, P S et al. (1998) Mechanism of HIV pathogenesis: role of superantigens in disease. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 22:188S-192S

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