TRANSCYTOSIS OF STAPHYLOCOCCAL SUPERANTIGEN TOXINS

Staphylococcus aureus produces a set of proteins (e.g., staphylococcal enterotoxin A [SEA], SEB, toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 [TSST-1]) whic h act both as superantigens (SAgs) and toxins. Although their mode of action as SAgs is well understood, little is known about how they ente r the body via the intestine and cause food poisoning. To examine this problem we used an in vitro culture system to study the capacity of c lass II MHC-negative human intestinal epithelial cells (Caco-2) to tra nscytose several staphylococcal toxins. We found that Caco-2 cells are capable of dose-dependent, facilitated transcytosis of SEB and TSST-1 , but not SEA. We extended these studies in vivo in mice by showing th at ingested SEB appears in the blood more efficiently than SEA. Our da ta suggest that these toxins can cross the epithelium in an immunologi cally intact form. These results may have important implications for t he pathogenesis of food poisoning.