| superantigen | <immunology> Antigens, mostly from bacterial toxins, that interact with a set of T lymphocytes bearing a set of products of the V_T receptor genes, as a consequence superantigens activate large numbers of T-cells. Staphylococcal enterotoxins are the best known superantigens and stimulate CD4 T-cells in humans. The Mls gene product in mice can act as a superantigen. (19 Jan 1998) |
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| superantigens | Microbial antigens that have in common an extremely potent activating effect on T-cells that bear a specific variable region. Superantigens cross-link the variable region with class II MHC proteins regardless of the peptide binding in the T-cell receptor's pocket. The result is a transient expansion and subsequent death and anergy of the T-cells with the appropriate variable regions. (12 Dec 1998) |