Langerhans' cell depletion by staphylococcal superantigens.

Superantigens were examined for effects on the distribution of Langerhans' cells (LC) in mouse skin. This was accomplished by analysing the expression of LC-specific markers, ATPase and IA among the epidermal portion of cultured sections of mouse skin following treatment with staphylococcal enterotoxins. In this study, treatment of skin sections with staphylococcal enterotoxin A or exfoliative toxin but not toxic shock syndrome toxin led to significant depletion of LC. This depletion was inhibited by agents which specifically block the action of GTP binding proteins or their associated kinases (cholera and pertussis toxins and H-8) as well as those which block protein or RNA synthesis. Therefore, signals which lead to LC depletion in response to staphylococcal enterotoxins appear to involve a cholera and pertussis toxin-sensitive GTP-binding protein and protein synthesis. These requirements are identical to those observed previously for LC depletion following exposure of skin to ultraviolet radiation.