Bacterial superantigens have profound in vivo effects and have been implicated in human diseases such as toxic shock syndrome, adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and autoimmune disease. In addition, superantigen-secreting strains of Staphylococcus aureus have been associated with unexpected death resulting from influenza virus. A murine model has been developed to study the interplay between the bacterial superantigen, Staphylococcus enterotoxin B (SEB) and influenza infection. Injection of SEB into normal mice has numerous effects, including activation of T cells bearing the relevant T cell receptor (TCR) Vbeta elements, non-specific immune suppression, anergy, apoptosis, and massive cytokine secretion, both by T cells and MHC class II+ presenting cells. Despite these dramatic in vivo effects, bacterial superantigens are not lethal in mice. However, injection of SEB into mice 7 days after non- lethal infection with influenza virus results in the rapid onset of death. The experiments proposed here are designed to understand the role of viral infection in sensitizing mice to the lethal effects of SEB, and, in a broader sense, to determine the effects of superantigen on a concurrent immune response to infectious virus. This is of clinical relevance, because secondary bacterial infections are commonly associated with viruses that cause pathology in the respiratory tract.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AI038349-02
Application #
2376417
Study Section
Immunological Sciences Study Section (IMS)
Project Start
1996-03-01
Project End
1999-02-28
Budget Start
1997-03-01
Budget End
1998-02-28
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1997
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Department
Type
DUNS #
067717892
City
Memphis
State
TN
Country
United States
Zip Code
38105