Superantigen engineering

Bacterial superantigens are extremely potent activators of the immune system. Their ability to efficiently cross-link molecules of the major histocompatibility complex class II and T-cell receptors causes the normal antigen specificity of each receptor to be bypassed. Two well characterized superantigens are the staphylococcal enterotoxins A and B. Data from mutagenesis studies in combination with recent structural information allow the definition of the surfaces on these superantigens involved in the binding of either type of receptor. Wild-type and engineered mutants of these superantigens have been used to modulate the activity of cells in the immune system, in an attempt to develop therapeutics applications.