SUPERANTIGENS

 Bacterial and viral antigens that are able to activate large numbers of T
cells (polyclonal activation) are called SUPERANTIGENS
 Do not require processing
 Can bind to MHC molecules outside the peptide-binding cleft i.e they
are MHC unrestricted
 They can stimulate ~25% more of the T cells
 This massive activation of T cells results in overproduction of
cytokines, in particular, IFN-γ which in turn activates macrophages to
produce IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α, all which may contribute to a “cytokine
storm” causing severe symptoms of shock and multiple organ failure
 Eg : bacterial toxins, including the staphylococcal enterotoxins, toxic
shock syndrome toxin and group A streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin A