[The role of bacterial superantigens in pathophysiology of the skin].
In contrast to conventional antigens, bacterial superantigens activate a large percentage of an organism's total T-cell repertoire. This has clinical implications particularly in the case of infections with Gram-positive bacteria. Unravelling the molecular mechanisms of superantigen-mediated T-cell activation has yielded new insights in the pathogenesis of a number of diseases, in the field of dermatology namely atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. Moreover, therapeutic applications of superantigens have begun to emerge.
Boehncke
W H
WH
Zentrum der Dermatologie und Venerologie, Johann-Wolfgang-Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Main.
Zollner
T M
TM
D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D018089:Superantigens / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D018089:Superantigens