Canadian Medical Guide > Chemicals and Drugs > Immunologic and Biological Factors > Immunologic Factors > Antigens > Superantigens Terms and Definitions

Superantigens

Medical 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.
Guide Notes:	microbial antigens; coord IM with specific microbe /immunol (IM)
Previously Indexed:	specific antigens (1989-1993)

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