Streptococcal superantigen-induced expansion of human tonsil T cells leads to altered T follicular helper cell phenotype, B cell death, and reduced immunoglobulin release.

CONCLUSIONS: SpeA and other superantigens cause dysregulated tonsil immune function, driving T cells from Tfh to a proliferating phenotype, with resultant loss of B cells and immunoglobulin production, providing superantigen-producing bacteria with a likely survival advantage. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
PMID: 30815853 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: Clinical and Developmental Immunology - February 26, 2019 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Davies FJ, Olme C, Lynskey NN, Turner CE, Sriskandan S Tags: Clin Exp Immunol Source Type: research