Elsevier

Immunobiology

Volume 189, Issues 3–4, November 1993, Pages 270-284
Immunobiology

Superantigen Mediated Shock: A Cytokine Release Syndrome

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0171-2985(11)80362-1Get rights and content

Abstract

Treatment of animals with superantigens results in profound immunological changes. A major fraction of all peripheral T cells becomes activated in vivo. Subsequently, successive waves of cytokines are produced with TNF playing a central pathophysiologic role. In addition, if the liver is damaged by an as yet poor defined mechanism the consequences of the cytokine syndrome are life threatening. However, TNF alone is not sufficient to cause death, instead synergizing interactions with cytokines like IL-1, IL-6, and IFN-γ are probably involved. On the other hand, certain experimental conditions prevent these waves of cytokines and consequently lethal shock. Furthermore, a significant fraction of SA reactive T cells are deleted by programmed cell death 10 to 24 hours after treatment. Thereafter the surviving cells proliferate vigorously until day 2 or 3, followed by a second wave of apoptosis resulting in reduced SA reactive T cell numbers as compared to pretreatment levels. Of course, many aspects of the complicated events are only marginally understood and deserve further investigation.

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  • Cited by (0)

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    Dr. Hermann Wagner, Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Technical University of Munich, Trogerstr. 9, 81675 Munich, Germany

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