Superantigens as immunomodulators: recent structural insights

Superantigens interact with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class ii molecules and T-cell receptors (TcRs) forming a trimolecular complex which is able to induce proliferation and cytokine production in T cells. Although superantigens appear to act through a common mechanism, they vary in many of their specific interactions and biological properties. X-ray crystallographic studies and biochemical experiments have now established that cross-linking of MHC class II molecules and the TcR by superantigens can occur in a number of different modes.