Chemicals and Drugs

Superantigens

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.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

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.

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Synonyms

1 entry terms
  • Superantigen

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

23 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings administration & dosage, adverse effects, analysis, biosynthesis, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, chemistry, classification, drug effects, economics, genetics, history, immunology, isolation & purification, metabolism, pharmacology, physiology, poisoning, radiation effects, therapeutic use, toxicity, ultrastructure, urine.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

coordinate IM with specific microbe /immunol (IM); for interaction of superantigens with endotoxins, coordinate with ENDOTOXINS or specifics

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History Note

94

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • specific antigens (1989-1993)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Number

MeSH Record

NLM Classification

QW 573

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Superantigens. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D018089. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D018089
  2. Superantigens. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superantigen
  3. Superantigens. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q772950