Sleeping with the enemy--endogenous superantigens in humans.
We usually think of superantigens (SAg) as dangerous toxins that may cause toxic shock syndrome and death. Now, based on two papers in this issue of Immunity, it seems that we all have SAg genes within us, lying dormant and waiting to be activated under special circumstances.
Posnett
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Department of Medicine, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021, USA. dposnett@med.cornell.edu
Yarilina
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D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology*; D020077:Endogenous Retroviruses / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008324:Mammary Tumor Virus, Mouse / Q000276:immunology; D018089:Superantigens / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000276:immunology
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D018089:Superantigens