PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Uchiyama, T
AU  - Miyoshi-Akiyama, T
AU  - Kato, H
AU  - Fujimaki, W
AU  - Imanishi, K
AU  - Yan, X J
TI  - Superantigenic properties of a novel mitogenic substance produced by Yersinia pseudotuberculosis isolated from patients manifesting acute and systemic symptoms.
DP  - 1993 Oct 15
TA  - The Journal of Immunology
PG  - 4407--4413
VI  - 151
IP  - 8
4099  - http://www.jimmunol.org/content/151/8/4407.short
4100  - http://www.jimmunol.org/content/151/8/4407.full
SO  - J. Immunol.1993 Oct 15; 151
AB  - A novel product from Yersinia pseudotuberculosis exhibiting mitogenic activity for human PBMC (designated Y. pseudotuberculosis-derived mitogen, YPM) was examined for its biologic activities for human lymphocytes. YPM induced a substantial proliferative response and IL-2 production at 0.1 ng/ml or more in whole PBMC but not in T-depleted PBMC. IL-2 production occurred within 12 h after YPM stimulation. T cells from PBMC produced IL-2 in the presence of L cells transfected with HLA DR genes or DP genes but not in the presence of control L cells used as accessory cells. Paraformaldehyde fixation did not abolish the AC activity of the DR+ L cells. The results suggest that YPM bind directly to HLA class II molecules. Analysis of the TCR V beta element using the polymerase chain reaction revealed that YPM selectively activated human T cells bearing V beta 3, V beta 9, V beta 13.1, and V beta 13.2 in TCR. These results indicate that YPM is a potent T cell activator and has superantigenic properties (abilities to bind directly to MHC class II molecules and selectively stimulate T cell populations bearing particular V beta elements in TCR). The role of YPM in the mechanism of pathogenesis of Y. pseudotuberculosis infections manifesting acute and systemic clinical symptoms is discussed.