Advances in the classification and biological properties of streptococcal superantigens / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

ABSTRACT

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.