Superantigen toxins

Accession VIRO:0000298
Synonym(s)Sags
DefinitionA classification of toxins that are primarily produced by Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. The toxin acts to crosslink major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigens and T‐cell receptors (TCR) as a method of targeting the immunological adaptive response. The effect of these toxins results in stimulation of a large number of T-cells amounting to a phenomenon known as a cytokine storm. This is known as the toxic shock syndrome (TSS).
Classification5 ontology terms | Show
Parent Term(s)1 ontology terms | Show
Sub-Term(s)
2 ontology terms | Show
Publications

Fraser JD, et al. 2008. Immunol. Rev. 225:226-43 The bacterial superantigen and superantigen-like proteins. (PMID 18837785)