Superantigens are highly mitogenic
exotoxins produced by
bacteria and
viruses.They can bind to the
major histocompatibility complex class Ⅱ, stimulate
T cell receptor molecules to release a large quantity of proinflammatory
cytokines, and activate the
immune system in vastly low concentrations.
Superantigens have been the most effective
T cell mitogen discovered so far.
Superantigens play important
roles in
infection diseases caused by streptococcal pathogens, and they can facilitate pathogen colonization, proliferation, and dissemination.Further
research of
biological chara-cteristics of
streptococcus superantigens is vital to
understanding the
streptococcus pathogenesis, prevention and
treatment of
streptococcus infection.In this article, advances in the
classification,
biological properties, pathogenesis, deve-lopment and application of streptococcal
superantigens were reviewed, so as to improve the clinical
understanding and provide reference for in-depth
research of related
diseases.