Superantigens and their possible involvement in psoriasis and other diseases

Superantigens unit products of bacterial and viral agents which, in combination with MHC cl II, are capable to stimulate a large fraction of T lymphocytes in one affected individual. This stimulation primarily interests the variable region V of beta chain of T lymphocyte receptor. Superantigens are recently isolated, characterized and they seem to be implicated in some immune diseases. The study of this superantigens gives some explanations to certain incert pathogenic mechanisms.