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Superantigens and their role in disease
1National Jewish Center for Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, Denver.
Because superantigens bind to extremely large numbers of T cells, they are useful for investigating the immune system. Moreover, they appear to have diverse pathologic roles. They may be responsible for massive cytokine release in toxic shock, activate self-reactive T cells in Kawasaki disease and rheumatoid arthritis, and participate in immune tolerance and deficiency.
Because superantigens bind to extremely large numbers of T cells, they are useful for investigating the immune system. Moreover, they appear to have diverse pathologic roles. They may be responsible for massive cytokine release in toxic shock, activate self-reactive T cells in Kawasaki disease and rheumatoid arthritis, and participate in immune tolerance and deficiency.