Gómez GP, Espinosa PSE

Language: Spanish
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Page: 11-14
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ABSTRACT

Superantigens are a family of protein exotoxins viral and bacterial exhibiting a highly potent policlonal lymphocyte proliferating activity for CD4+, cd8+ and sometimes gd T cells of human and (or) various animal species. The potent immunostimulatory properties of superantigens are a direct result of their simultaneous interaction with the Vb domain of the T-cell receptor (TCR) and the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules on the surface of an antigen presenting cell. Superantigens have been implicated as etiologic agents in toxic Shock Syndromes, rheumatic fever, psoriasis and Kawasaki disease. We describe in this review the molecular, biological and immunologic properties of the superantigen toxins and their roles in autoimmune disease.