Superantigens are bacterial proteins that generate a powerful immune response by binding to Major Histocompatibility Complex class II molecules on antigen-presenting cells and T cell receptors on T cells. A recent article reveals that at least one of the superantigens, staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB), also binds the co-stimulatory molecule CD28, suggesting that a much larger and potentially more stable complex is formed at the immunological synapse than was previously thought. This revelation greatly clarifies some of the mystery surrounding how and why these toxins are able to elicit such a toxic immune response at extremely low concentrations. These findings also highlight a novel role for CD28 in microbial pathogenicity.
ABSTRACT
PUBLICATION RECORD
- Publication year
2011
- Venue
PLoS Biology
- Publication date
2011-09-01
- Fields of study
Biology, Medicine
- Identifiers
- External record
- Source metadata
Semantic Scholar, PubMed
CITATION MAP
EXTRACTION MAP
CLAIMS
CONCEPTS
- cd28
A co-stimulatory receptor on T cells involved in activating T-cell responses.
- immunological synapse
The contact zone where signaling interactions between antigen-presenting cells and T cells occur.
- major histocompatibility complex class ii molecules
Antigen-presenting cell surface molecules involved in presenting antigen to T cells.
Aliases: MHC class II
- microbial pathogenicity
The process by which microbes cause disease in a host.
- staphylococcal enterotoxin b (seb)
A staphylococcal superantigen discussed as a CD28-binding toxin in the abstract.
Aliases: SEB
- superantigens
Bacterial proteins that stimulate an unusually strong immune response by linking antigen-presenting cells and T cells.
- t cell receptors
Antigen receptors on T cells that participate in immune recognition.
REFERENCES
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CITED BY
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