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The bacterial superantigen and superantigen‐like proteins
Author(s) -
Fraser John D.,
Proft Thomas
Publication year - 2008
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.2008.00681.x
Subject(s) - superantigen , biology , toxic shock syndrome , streptococcus pyogenes , microbiology and biotechnology , immune system , major histocompatibility complex , immunology , staphylococcus aureus , virulence , innate immune system , t cell receptor , t cell , bacteria , genetics , gene
Summary: The bacterial superantigens are protein toxins that bind to major histocompatibility complex class II and T‐cell receptor to stimulate large numbers of T cells. The majority are produced by the Gram‐positive organisms Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes and are the causative agents in toxic shock syndrome, an acute disease caused by the sudden and massive release of T‐cell cytokines into the blood stream. The structure and function of the superantigens has revealed a common architecture that is also shared by another group of staphylococcal virulence factors called the superantigen‐like proteins (SSL). Together, this family of structurally related molecules highlights how a common pathogenic organism has employed a simple but adaptable protein to generate an armamentarium of potent defense molecules designed to target of the innate and adaptive immune response.