title: The role of superantigens in skin disease.
abstract: Staphylococcus aureus and streptococci secrete a large family of exotoxins involved in the pathogenesis of toxic-shock-like syndromes and have been implicated in several autoimmune disorders. These toxins act as prototypic superantigens capable of binding to major histocompatibility complex proteins on antigen-presenting cells outside the antigen peptide-binding groove and can thereby stimulate cytokine release from macrophages. The superantigen-major histocompatibility complex unit is recognized primarily by the variable region of the T-cell receptor beta chain, and by engaging this region, can activate a large portion of the T-cell repertoire. It is thought that the capacity of these toxins to cause the massive stimulation of T cells and accessory cells such as macrophages, Langerhans cells, and activated keratinocytes accounts for most of their pathologic effects. The current review examines the evidence that implicates a role for these superantigens in the pathogenesis of certain skin diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, National Jewish Center for Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, Denver, CO 80206, USA.
authors.forename: D Y
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Travers
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Norris
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D009080:Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome / Q000276:immunology; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000276:immunology; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000276:immunology; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000276:immunology; D018089:Superantigens / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D018089:Superantigens