Murine models of staphylococcal enterotoxin B-induced toxic shock.

Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) is a member of a large family of structurally related exotoxins produced by Staphylococcus aureus, which is the etiological agent responsible for toxic shock and staphylococcal food poisoning. SEB binds directly to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules on antigen-presenting cells and T-cell receptors on T cells triggering T-cell proliferation and mediator release. SEB is a biothreat agent because of its ability to potently activate cells of the immune system. In vivo animal models are critical in the development of therapeutics against SEB-induced shock. Our results show that three different mouse strains with different susceptibility to SEB can be used to study SEB-induced shock without the use of potentiating agents. The hypothermic response, weight loss, and induction of serum monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), interleukin 2 (IL-2), and IL-6 correlated with mortality in all three models.