PNAs: identification of special immune cells that can induce toxic shock

December 6, 2019 / BIOON / -- recently, a report was published in PNAS In the previous research report, scientists from Karolin college in Sweden found that the immune cells named MAIT may play a key role in the occurrence of group A streptococcal toxic shock The relevant research results are expected to help develop new diagnostic methods and therapies for a variety of diseases that threaten people's lives Photo source: cc0 public domain group A streptococcus Streptoccus) is one of the most common bacteria in the population, and it is also the most common cause of bacterial tonsillitis However, if this kind of bacteria enters into the blood or other tissues, it will cause life-threatening diseases, which will cause septicemia and toxic shock in patients These diseases develop rapidly, have a high mortality rate, and usually cause a large area Tissue damage, so it is known as a "bacterial killer." When bacteria produce a toxin called superantigens, it will promote the over reaction of immune cells and produce a large number of cytokines Toxic shock will occur at this time These cytokines include proteins and polypeptides Their normal function is to regulate the immune and inflammatory response of the host body Researchers have found that a recently discovered cell type, MAIT cells, plays a key role in the production of cytokine responses to superantigens and group A streptococcus Researcher Johanna emgard said that the number of MAIT cells is small, but it will react quickly to group A streptococcus and produce a large number of cytokines The excessive production of such cytokines, commonly known as "cytokine storm", will lead to vascular leakage, low blood pressure and organ failure Researchers found that when patients experience acute stage infection, MAIT cells will be activated Relevant research findings are very important Researchers hope to find a potential target to help develop new diagnosis technology and therapy Because group A streptococcal toxic shock will develop rapidly, it is very important to develop early diagnosis strategies and treatment methods for the treatment of this bacterial infection Original source: Johanna EMG å Rd, Helena Bergsten, John K McCormick, et al MAIT cells are major contributors to the cycle response in group a streptoccal toxic shop complex, PNAs (2019) doi: 10.1073/pnas.1910883116