Abstract
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.
Highlights
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
If a Sag does get into the bloodstream, and if the patient has no neutralising antibody from previous exposure, the Sag will induce a sudden and profound T cell stimulation that generates a cascade of cytokines, resulting in symptoms that include high fever, headache, vomiting, hypotension, aches, and rash, causing the condition known as Toxic Shock Syndrome
This life-threatening illness is often associated with young females who have developed an intra-vaginal infection of a staphylococcal strain producing the Sag Toxic Shock Syndrome Toxin (TSST) [2,3]
Summary
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. Many cytokines are produced in response to a single Sag, acute toxicity is blamed on the excessive production of three T cell cytokines— Interleukin-2 (IL-2), Interferon-c (INF-c), and Tumour necrosis Factor a (TNF-a) [4,5].
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