The Mycoplasma arthritidis T-cell mitogen, MAM: a model superantigen

The superantigens are receiving a great deal of attention as a new group of potent immunomodulatory molecules. They are produced by diverse microbial agents including staphylococci, streptococci and mycoplasmas and are also encoded by murine tumor viruses (the Mls antigens). Superantigens activate T cells by a unique pathway which can lead to modification of the T-cell repertoire and induction of autoimmunity. Here, Barry Cole and Curtis Atkin review their observations on the Mycoplasma arthritidis superantigen, MAM, and discuss how MAM might contribute to the acute and chronic inflammatory disease mediated by this organism.