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Understanding the mechanism of action of bacterial superantigens from a decade of research
Author(s) -
Lavoie Pascal M.,
Thibodeau Jacques,
Erard François,
Sékaly RafickPierre
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
immunological reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.839
H-Index - 223
eISSN - 1600-065X
pISSN - 0105-2896
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-065x.1999.tb01297.x
Subject(s) - superantigen , biology , immune system , t cell receptor , mhc class ii , major histocompatibility complex , immunology , antigen , t cell , microbiology and biotechnology
Summary: In the face of the unique diversity and plasticity of the immune system pathogenic organisms have developed multiple mechanisms in adaptation to their hosts, including the expression of a particular class of molecules called superantigens. Bacterial superantigens are the most potent stimulators of T cells. The functional consequences of the expression of superantigens by bacteria can be extended not only to T lymphocytes, but also to B lymphocytes and to cells of the myeloid compartment, including antigen‐presenting cells and phagocytes. The biological effects of bacterial superantigens as well as their molecular aspects have now been studied for a decade. Although there is still a long way to go to clearly understand the role these molecules play in the establishment of disease, recently acquired knowledge of their biochemistry now offers unique experimental opportunities in defining the molecular rules of T‐cell activation. Here, we present some of the most recent functional and molecular aspects of the interaction of bacterial superantigens with MHC class II molecules and the T‐cell receptor.