Herman A, Kappler J W, Marrack P, Pullen A M
Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Medicine, National Jewish Center for Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, Denver, Colorado 80206.
Annu Rev Immunol. 1991;9:745-72. doi: 10.1146/annurev.iy.09.040191.003525.
Superantigens combine with MHC class-II molecules to form the ligands that stimulate T cells via the V beta element of the T-cell receptor. Two groups of superantigens have been described so far: first, endogenous murine products that include the Mls determinants, and second, bacterial products such as the Staphylococcal enterotoxins. Here, we review studies that address the interactions between the foreign superantigens and MHC class-II molecules, the mechanism of T-cell stimulation, and the role that tolerance to self-superantigens plays in shaping the T-cell repertoire. We speculate on the possible evolutionary significance of superantigens.
超抗原与MHC II类分子结合形成配体，通过T细胞受体的Vβ元件刺激T细胞。迄今为止，已描述了两类超抗原：第一类是内源性小鼠产物，包括Mls决定簇；第二类是细菌产物，如葡萄球菌肠毒素。在此，我们综述了有关外来超抗原与MHC II类分子之间相互作用、T细胞刺激机制以及对自身超抗原的耐受性在塑造T细胞库中所起作用的研究。我们推测了超抗原可能的进化意义。
