IdeS, a recently discovered cysteine proteinase secreted by the important human pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes, interferes with phagocytic killing by specifically cleaving the heavy chain of immunoglobulin G. The fact that the enzyme targets one of the key molecules of the adapted immune response raised the question of whether an antibody response against IdeS could inhibit, i.e., neutralize, enzyme activity. Paired acute-and convalescent-phase serum samples from patients with pharyngotonsillitis (n ؍ 10), bacteremia (n ؍ 7), and erysipelas (n ؍ 4) were analyzed. Antibodies with the ability to neutralize IdeS enzymatic activity were already found in two-thirds of acute-phase sera. However, patients who seroconverted to IdeS, in particular patients with pharyngotonsillitis and erysipelas, developed specific antibodies during convalescence with an increased capability to efficiently neutralize the enzymatic activity of IdeS. Also, the presence of neutralizing antibodies decreased the ability of IdeS to mediate bacterial survival in human immune blood. In patients with bacteremia, several acute-phase sera contained neutralizing antibodies, but no correlation was found to severity or outcome of invasive infections. Still, the fact that the human immune response targets the enzymatic activity of IdeS supports the view that the enzyme plays an important role during streptococcal infection.
The immune system surveys the skin for keratinocytes (KCs) infected by viruses or with acquired genetic damage. The mechanism by which T cells mediate KC elimination is however undefined. In this study we show that antigen-specific CD8 T cells can eliminate antigen-bearing KCs in vivo and inhibit their clonogenic potential in vitro, independently of the effector molecules perforin and Fas-ligand (Fas-L). In contrast, IFN-gamma receptor expression on KCs and T cells producing IFN-gamma are each necessary and sufficient for in vitro inhibition of KC clonogenic potential. Thus, antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) may mediate destruction of epithelium expressing non-self antigen by eliminating KCs with potential for self-renewal through an IFN-gamma-dependent mechanism.
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