Cytokines and T-cell responses in superantigen-related glomerulonephritis following methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

We have previously reported that 10 patients who developed glomerulonephritis (GN) in association with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection showed a marked increase in DR+CD4+ and DR+CD8+ subsets of T cells and in T cells expressing several T-cell receptor (TCR) V beta+cells, perhaps representing V beta-specific T-cell activation by MRSA-derived superantigens (Kidney Int 1995; 47: 207-216). In this study we examine cytokine levels, T-lymphocyte subsets, natural killer NK cells, memory T cells, and the expression of IL-2 receptors in order to better understand the role of bacterial superantigens and cytokines in the pathogenesis of MRSA-associated GN.

METHODS:

Twenty-two patients with MRSA infection who later developed GN caused by staphylococcal enterotoxin were evaluated immunologically in comparison with patients whose MRSA infection was not followed by GN (non-GN group) and normal individuals.

RESULTS:

Among peripheral lymphocytes, the frequency of T cells expressing several TCR V betas, especially V beta 5-family TCR, was higher in the GN group than in both the non-GN group and the normal healthy control group. GN patients also showed increased serum levels of several cytokines, including tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10, which have been implicated in the onset of nephritis. Memory cells, and IL-2 receptors also were elevated in the GN group.

CONCLUSION:

These results suggest that T cells activated by MRSA-derived staphylococcal enterotoxins and subsequent production of cytokines may play an important role in the pathogenesis of MRSA-associated GN.

• Authors: K Yoh, M Kobayashi, N Yamaguchi, K Hirayama, T Ishizu, S Kikuchi, S Iwabuchi, K Muro, S Nagase, K Aoyagi, M Kondoh, K Takemura, K Yamagata, A Koyama
• Journal: Nephrology, dialysis, transplantation : official publication of the European Dialysis and Transplant Association - European Renal Association (Nephrol Dial Transplant) Vol. 15 Issue 8 Pg. 1170-4 (Aug 2000) ISSN: 0931-0509 [Print] England
• PMID: 10910440 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Cytokines
• Superantigens

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Cytokines (blood)
• Female
• Glomerulonephritis (immunology, microbiology, physiopathology)
• Humans
• Lymphocyte Subsets (pathology)
• Male
• Methicillin Resistance
• Middle Aged
• Staphylococcal Infections (physiopathology)
• Staphylococcus aureus (physiology)
• Superantigens (immunology)
• T-Lymphocytes (pathology)