LEWIS ANTIGEN EXPRESSION ON HUMAN MONOCYTES AND BINDING OF PYROGENIC TOXINS

Toxigenic bacteria such as Bordetella pertussis and Staphylococcus aur eus have been implicated in some cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). We have previously demonstrated that the Lewis(a) antigen is an epithelial cell receptor for S. aureus, and this study demonstrated that Lewis(a) on human monocytes is also a receptor for staphylococca l enterotoxin B (SEB). Values obtained in assays for production of TNF -alpha and nitric oxide were greater for monocytes treated with SEB co mpared with those treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Exposure to L PS increased the expression of Lewis(a) on monocytes. These results ar e discussed with reference to the reported enhancement of endotoxic sh ock by pyrogenic toxins.