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Superantigens as immunomodulators: recent structural insights
A C Papageorgiou1, K R Acharya
1Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, United Kingdom.
Superantigens interact with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules and T-cell receptors (TcRs) forming a trimolecular complex which is able to induce proliferation and cytokine production in T cells. Although superantigens appear to act through a common mechanism, they very in many of their specific interactions and biological properties. X-ray crystallographic studies and biochemical experiments have now established that cross-linking of MHC class II molecules and the TcR by superantigens can occur in a number of different modes.
Superantigens interact with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules and T-cell receptors (TcRs) forming a trimolecular complex which is able to induce proliferation and cytokine production in T cells. Although superantigens appear to act through a common mechanism, they very in many of their specific interactions and biological properties. X-ray crystallographic studies and biochemical experiments have now established that cross-linking of MHC class II molecules and the TcR by superantigens can occur in a number of different modes.