title: Animal Models Used to Study Superantigen-Mediated Diseases.
abstract: Superantigens secreted by Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes interact with the T-cell receptor and major histocompatibility class II molecules on antigen-presenting cells to elicit a massive cytokine release and activation of T cells in higher numbers than that seen with ordinary antigens. Because of this unique ability, superantigens have been implicated as etiological agents for many different types of diseases, including toxic shock syndrome, infective endocarditis, pneumonia, and inflammatory skin diseases. This review covers the main animal models that have been developed in order to identify the roles of superantigens in human disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Science, Concordia University - Saint Paul, 1282 Concordia Ave., S-115, St. Paul, MN, 55104, USA. brosnahan@csp.edu.
authors.forename: Amanda J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Brosnahan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000209:etiology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004696:Endocarditis / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000209:etiology; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000209:etiology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000276:immunology*; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000276:immunology*; D018089:Superantigens / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D014839:Vomiting / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D018089:Superantigens
keywords: Animal model; Atopic dermatitis; Emesis; Endocarditis; Pneumonia; Staphylococcus aureus; Streptococcus pyogenes; Superantigen; Toxic shock syndrome