title: Superantigens. Do they have a role in skin diseases?
abstract: Superantigens are a group of bacterial and viral proteins that are characterized by their capacity to stimulate a large number of T cells. They bind directly to the major histocompatibility complex class II molecule on the antigen-presenting cell and cross-link the antigen-presenting cell with T cells expressing certain T-cell receptors, leading to polyclonal T-cell activation. They have been shown to play a role in toxic shock syndrome and mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome and are postulated to play a role in other systemic diseases. Because inflammatory skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis are often known to be colonized with superantigen-releasing Staphylococcus aureus, the role of superantigens in skin diseases is of major importance. Recent studies have demonstrated that if a staphylococcal superantigen is applied on intact human skin, a clinical picture of dermatitis evolves. Furthermore, in the presence of superantigens, epidermal cells potently activate T cells. Thus, superantigens may play a role in the induction and exacerbation of inflammatory skin diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Skov
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Baadsgaard
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D018089:Superantigens / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D018089:Superantigens