The effect of site-specific monoclonal antibodies directed to toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 in experimental Staphylococcus aureus arthritis

Staphylococcus aureus produces a large number of potential virulence factor s, among these the superantigen toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1). We h ave recently demonstrated that TSST-1 is involved in the pathogenesis of se ptic arthritis. Recent data show that the TSST-1 molecule is composed of tw o distinct domains, one proposed to interact with T cell receptor (TCR) and one with the MHC class II. The aim of this study was to assess if interact ion between TSST-1-specific MoAbs directed to sites on the MHC and/or TCR V beta affects the development of experimental S. aureus-induced arthritis. For that purpose we used a panel of seven MoAbs, which were injected intrap eritoneally before and after inoculation with a TSST-1-producing S. aureus strain. Administration of antibodies did not affect the development of arth ritis, suggesting inefficacy of such a procedure in neutralization of exoto xin-mediated disease manifestations.