Definitions for superantigen
su·per·anti·gen

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. superantigennoun

   An antigen, which has a powerful interaction with T-lymphocytes.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Superantigen

   Superantigens (SAgs) are a class of antigens that result in excessive activation of the immune system. Specifically they cause non-specific activation of T-cells resulting in polyclonal T cell activation and massive cytokine release. SAgs are produced by some pathogenic viruses and bacteria most likely as a defense mechanism against the immune system. Compared to a normal antigen-induced T-cell response where 0.0001-0.001% of the body's T-cells are activated, these SAgs are capable of activating up to 20% of the body's T-cells. Furthermore, Anti-CD3 and Anti-CD28 antibodies (CD28-SuperMAB) have also shown to be highly potent superantigens (and can activate up to 100% of T cells). The large number of activated T-cells generates a massive immune response which is not specific to any particular epitope on the SAg thus undermining one of the fundamental strengths of the adaptive immune system, that is, its ability to target antigens with high specificity. More importantly, the large number of activated T-cells secrete large amounts of cytokines, the most important of which is Interferon gamma. This excess amount of IFN-gamma in turn activates the macrophages. The activated macrophages, in turn, over-produce proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-alpha. TNF-alpha is particularly important as a part of the body's inflammatory response. In normal circumstances it is released locally in low levels and helps the immune system defeat pathogens. However, when it is systemically released in the blood and in high levels (due to mass T-cell activation resulting from the SAg binding), it can cause severe and life-threatening symptoms, including shock and multiple organ failure.

WikidataRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Superantigen

   Superantigens are a class of antigens which cause non-specific activation of T-cells resulting in polyclonal T cell activation and massive cytokine release. SAgs can be produced by pathogenic microbes as a defense mechanism against the immune system. Compared to a normal antigen-induced T-cell response where .001-.0001% of the body’s T-cells are activated, these SAgs are capable of activating up to 25% of the body’s T-cells. Furthermore, Anti-CD3 and Anti-CD28 Antibodies have also shown to be highly potent superantigens. The large number of activated T-cells generates a massive immune response which is not specific to any particular epitope on the SAg thus undermining one of the fundamental strengths of the adaptive immune system, that is, its ability to target antigens with high specificity. More importantly, the large number of activated T-cells secrete large amounts of cytokines, the most important of which is Interferon gamma. This excess amount of IFN-gamma in turn activates the macrophages. The activated macrophages, in turn, over-produce proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-alpha. TNF-alpha is particularly important as a part of the body's inflammatory response. In normal circumstances it is released locally in low levels and helps the immune system defeat pathogens. However when it is systemically released in the blood and in high levels, it can cause severe and life-threatening symptoms, including shock and multiple organ failure.

How to pronounce superantigen?

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Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of superantigen in Chaldean Numerology is: 3

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of superantigen in Pythagorean Numerology is: 5

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References

1. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Superantigen
2. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superantigen
3. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=superantigen