Newly discovered immune cells play key role in group A streptococcal toxic shock
Recently discovered immune cells called MAIT cells play a key role in group A streptococcal toxic shock, researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden report. The results, which are published in the journal PNAS, have potential implications for the diagnosis and treatment of this life-threatening condition.
Group A streptococcus is a bacterium commonly found in the population and is the most common bacterial cause of mild throat infection (tonsillitis). However, the bacterium can also cause life-threatening conditions if it enters the blood or other tissue, where it can give rise to sepsis or toxic shock, conditions that develop rapidly and that are associated with a high mortality rate and, often, extensive tissue damage - hence the popular media epithet "killer bacteria".
Toxic shock occurs when the bacteria produce toxins called superantigens, which cause the immune cells to over-react and produce large amounts of cytokines - proteins/peptides whose normal function is to regulate the body's immunological and inflammatory response. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet now show that MAIT cells, a relatively recently discovered immune cell, play a fundamental role in the cytokine response to superantigens and group A streptococcus.
The researchers also show that MAIT cells are activated in patients during the acute phase of the infection.
"This discovery is important as it means that we've found a new potential target for diagnosis and treatment," says Anna Norrby-Teglund, professor at the same department and the study's last author. "This is particularly important given the characteristically rapid development of group A streptococcal toxic shock, for which early diagnosis and treatment is critical for the outcome of the infection."
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