Lobo-Yeo A, Lamb J R
Department of Immunology, St. Mary's Hospital Medical School, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London, U.K.
Clin Exp Rheumatol. 1993 Mar-Apr;11 Suppl 8:S17-21.
Superantigens are a family of proteins that are receiving a great deal of attention as a group of potent immunomodulatory molecules. They 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: those expressed endogenously such as the mouse mammary tumour virus (MMTV) and the exogenously derived products such as the Staphylococcal enterotoxins. Here we review the interactions between the superantigens and MHC class II molecules, the mechanisms of T cell activation, the role of superantigens in the induction of tolerance and their involvement in autoimmune diseases.
超抗原是一类蛋白质，作为一组强效免疫调节分子而备受关注。它们与II类主要组织相容性复合体（MHC）分子结合，形成通过T细胞受体的Vβ元件刺激T细胞的配体。已描述了两组超抗原：内源性表达的超抗原，如小鼠乳腺肿瘤病毒（MMTV），以及外源性衍生产物，如葡萄球菌肠毒素。在此，我们综述超抗原与II类MHC分子之间的相互作用、T细胞激活机制、超抗原在诱导耐受中的作用及其与自身免疫性疾病的关系。
