superantigen (redirected from Superantigens)

superantigen /su·per·an·ti·gen/ (-an´tĭ-jen) any of a group of powerful antigens occurring in various bacteria and viruses that binds outside of the normal T cell receptor site, reacting with multiple T cell receptor molecules and activating T cells nonspecifically.

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superantigen,

one of a family of related substances, including staphylococcal and streptococcal exotoxins, that can short-circuit the normal sequence of events leading to activation of helper T cells. Superantigens initiate an uncontrolled proliferation of T cells but do not require processing and presentation by macrophages. The result is either an acute and potentially life-threatening disease, such as toxic shock syndrome, or a chronic inflammatory process, such as rheumatic fever.

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superantigen

molecules that are potent T lymphocyte mitogens and simultaneously bind to class II MHC molecules. They are often associated with staphylococcal products and are involved in enterotoxemias and toxic shock syndrome in humans.