Microbial superantigens: From structure to function

Anastassios C. Papageorgiou, K. Ravi Acharya

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

91 Citations (SciVal)

Abstract

Superantigens are highly potent immune stimulators with a unique ability to interact simultaneously with MHC class II molecules and T cell receptors, forming a trimolecular complex that induces profound T-cell proliferation and massive cytokine production. Recent structural studies have provided a wealth of information regarding these complex interactions, and it is now emerging that, despite their common 3-D architecture, superantigens are able to crosslink MHC class II molecules and T cell receptors in a variety of ways.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)369-375
Number of pages7
JournalTrends in Microbiology
Volume8
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Aug 2000

Funding

We thank our colleagues in the Structural Biology Group for stimulating discussions. The superantigen research in K.R.A.’s laboratory is supported by a Programme Grant (9540039) from the Medical Research Council (UK).

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Microbiology
  • Microbiology (medical)
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Virology

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