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 language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 369-375 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Trends in Microbiology |
Volume | 8 |
Issue number | 8 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 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