title: Superantigens - powerful modifiers of the immune system.
abstract: Superantigens are powerful microbial toxins that activate the immune system by binding to class II major histocompatibility complex and T-cell receptor molecules. They cause a number of diseases characterized by fever and shock and are important virulence factors for two human commensal organisms, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes, as well as for some viruses. Their mode of action and variation around the common theme of over-stimulating T cells, provides a rich insight into the constant battle between microbes and the immune system.
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Auckland, Private Bag, 92019, Auckland, New Zealand. j.d.fraser@auckland.ac.nz
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fraser
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Arcus
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kong
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Proft
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D020077:Endogenous Retroviruses / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008324:Mammary Tumor Virus, Mouse / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity; D008958:Models, Molecular; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000378:metabolism; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity; D018089:Superantigens / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; D018089:Superantigens