Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome: synthesis of tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-1 by monocytes stimulated with pyrogenic exotoxin A and streptolysin O

J Infect Dis. 1992 May;165(5):879-85. doi: 10.1093/infdis/165.5.879.

Abstract

Previous studies have found that 80% of strains isolated from patients with the streptococcal toxic shock syndrome produce pyrogenic exotoxin A (SPEA) and 100% produced streptolysin O (SLO). To elucidate the cellular mechanisms contributing to shock, human monocytes were stimulated with SPEA (0.1-10 micrograms/10(6) monocytes) or SLO (0.2-2.5 hemolytic units/10(6) monocytes), and production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-1 beta was measured at 24, 48, and 72 h. SPEA and SLO were potent inducers of TNF alpha, with maximum production occurring at 72 h for SPEA and at 48 h for SLO (1067 and 687 pg/ml, respectively). In contrast, IL-1 beta production was greater for SLO than for SPEA (557 vs. 258 pg/ml). In addition, the effects of SPEA and SLO together were synergistic in terms of monocyte IL-1 beta production: SPEA, 193 pg/ml; SLO, 452 pg/ml; SPEA plus SLO, 799 pg/ml. These findings suggest TNF alpha and IL-1 beta are important candidates for mediating shock in severe streptococcal infections.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Exotoxins / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-1 / biosynthesis*
  • Membrane Proteins*
  • Monocytes / immunology*
  • Pyrogens / immunology
  • Streptococcus pyogenes
  • Streptolysins / immunology*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / biosynthesis*

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Exotoxins
  • Interleukin-1
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Pyrogens
  • SpeA protein, Streptococcus pyogenes
  • Streptolysins
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • erythrogenic toxin
  • streptolysin O