Effect of Staphylococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome Toxin-1 on Secretion of Interleukins and Interferon-gamma by Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells from Atopic Donors

Yang, Jong Kyu; Lee, Sang Chin; Kim, Si Yong; Kim, Chung Won

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The majority of Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from atopic eczema skin produce toxins like enterotoxin B or toxic shock syndrome toxin-1(TSST-1) as a superantigen and these toxins may contribute to the exacerbation of this skin disease.
OBJECTIVE
We designed this study in order to investigate the effect of toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 on IL-4, interleukin-10(IL-10), interleukin-12(IL-12) and IFN- r production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from normal and atopic patients.
METHODS
Peripheral mononuclear cells obtained from ten patients with severe atopic dermatitis and ten healthy volunteers were stimulated with TSST-1 and cultured for 4 days. The amount of IL-4, IL-10, IL-12 and IFN- r in the culture supernatants were determined by a solid-phase enzyme- linked immunosorbant assay.
RESULTS
l. After stimulation with TSST-1, IL-4, IL-10, IL-12 and INF- r, production of peripheral mononuclear cells from both atopic patients and healthy volunteers were increased. 2. After stimulation with TSST-1, the amount of IFN- r in the culture supernatants was significantly greater in the healthy controls than in the atopic patients. 3. After stimulation with TSST-1, the amount of IL-10 in the culture supernatants was significantly greater in the healthy controls than in the atopic patients.
CONCLUSION
This data indicates that TSST-1 induces Thl-type and Th2-type cytokines associated with parallel Thl and Th2 stimulation in atopic patients and healthy donors. In addition, peripheral mononuclear cells from atopic patients have a diminished capacity to synthesize IFN- r and IL-10 in vitro in response to stimulation with TSST-1. Our results suggest that TSST-1 is not considered as a really important aggravating factor in atopic dermatitis.