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Updated: Aug 12, 2026

Anti-Nuclear Antibody Screening Using HEp-2 Cells
Published on: June 23, 2014
Superantigens in autoimmune disease
Abstract:
The recent identification of superantigens (of retroviral origin in mice and bacterial origin in humans) has given rise to several hypotheses linking superantigens to autoimmune responses. The most compelling argument in support of such a link is restricted V beta gene usage by lymphocytes in rheumatoid joint fluid and Sjögren's syndrome salivary tissue. However, a substantial body of evidence from mouse models militates against a link between the presence of self-superantigen-reactive T-cells and the development of autoimmune disease. Nevertheless, superantigens are powerful instruments for investigating tolerance.
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