Superantigen

Cancer Terms -> Drugs and Chemicals -> Chemical Modifier -> Toxin -> Superantigen

Superantigen Definition

Microbial antigens that have in common an extremely potent activating effect on T-cells that bear a specific variable region. Superantigens cross-link the variable region with class II MHC proteins regardless of the peptide binding in the T-cell receptor's pocket. The result is a transient expansion and subsequent death and anergy of the T-cells with the appropriate variable regions.

Superantigen Synonyms

Superantigen

Terms in Superantigen category

Toxic Shock Syndrome Toxin-1