V beta-specific stimulation of human T cells by staphylococcal toxins |
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Authors: | J Kappler B Kotzin L Herron E W Gelfand R D Bigler A Boylston S Carrel D N Posnett Y Choi P Marrack |
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Institution: | Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Denver, CO. |
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Abstract: | The staphylococcal toxins are responsible for a number of diseases in man and other animals. Many of them have also long been known to be powerful T cell stimulants. They do not, however, stimulate all T cells. On the contrary, each toxin reacts with human T cells bearing particular V beta sequences as part of their receptors for major histocompatibility complex protein-associated antigen. The specificity of these toxins for V beta s puts them in the recently described class of superantigens and may account for the differential sensitivity of different individuals to the toxic effects of these proteins. |
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