Confounding B-cell defences: lessons from a staphylococcal superantigen.
Studies of microbial superantigens that target large clonal sets of B cells through conserved antigen-receptor-variable-region sites are providing new insights into the mechanisms of B-cell activation-induced cell death. These investigations have shown differences between the clonal regulation of follicular B cells (B2 cells) and the innate-like marginal-zone B cells and B1 cells, and have also shown how B-cell superantigens can affect specialized host defences against infection. Agents designed to emulate the properties of B-cell superantigens might also provide new approaches for the treatment of B-cell-mediated autoimmune and neoplastic diseases.
Silverman
Gregg J
GJ
Rheumatic Disease Core Center, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0663, USA. gsilverman@ucsd.edu
Goodyear
Carl S
CS
D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D013205:Staphylococcal Protein A / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D018089:Superantigens / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*
D013205:Staphylococcal Protein A; D018089:Superantigens