Superantigens is the first comprehensive examination of these fascinating proteins ever published. Organized into five sections and sixteen chapters, this volume provides an essential overview of many aspects of superantigen biology. A team of internationally respected researchers covers the basic molecular mechanisms of superantigen action, their structure and function, and their role in human diseases. Additionally, Superantigens explains the clinical consequences of superantigen intoxication and the latest therapeutic interventions to combat superantigen toxicity.
This volume emphasizes how newly discovered structural variations among superantigens affect their interactions with human immune cells. Most importantly, these structural and functional differences help explain the exacerbation of certain diseases and why certain superantigens are more effective in some tissues and not in others. Furthermore, the book emphasizes how this information can inform new research on the design and development of new intervention strategies to ameliorate superantigen responses in severe acute infections or chronic illnesses. Special attention is paid to the latest findings on staphylococcal, streptococcal, and mycoplasma toxins and their relationship to specific diseases. Finally, the potential for the use of superantigens in bioterrorism is discussed.
As the single most comprehensive volume on the subject, Superantigens is essential reading for researchers in the fields of microbiology, immunology, biotechnology, molecular medicine, and clinical infectious disease.
Table of Contents
Section I. Superantigens: What is New?
1. The Streptococcal Superantigens, John D. Fraser and Thomas Proft
2. Staphylococcal and Streptococcal Superantigens: an Update (Patrick M. Schlievert and Gregory A. Bohach
3. Mycoplasma arthritidis-Derived Superantigen (MAM), a Unique Class of Superantigen That Bridges Innate and Adaptive Immunity, Barry C. Cole and Hong-Hua Mu
4. Viral Superantigens in Mice and Humans, Albert K. Tai and Brigitte T. Huber
5. Superantigens from Gram-Negative Bacteria and the Diseases That They Cause, Takehiko Uchiyama, Tohru Miyoshi-Akiyama, and Hidehiro Ueshiba
Section II. Superantigen Structure and Function
6. Superantigen Architecture: Functional Decoration on a Conserved Scaffold, Vickery L. Arcus and Edward N. Baker
7. Structural Evidence for Zinc and Peptide Dependence in Superantigen-Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II Interaction, Björn Walse
8. Superantigens: Structure, Function, and Diversity, Matthew D. Baker and K. Ravi Acharya
Section III. Superantigens and Human Diseases
9. Role of Superantigens in Skin Disease, Sang-Hyun Cho and Donald Y. M. Leung
Section IV. Experimental Models for Superantigen-Mediated Diseases
10. Pathogenetic Mechanisms and Therapeutic Approaches in Superantigen-Induced Experimental Autoimmune Diseases, Andrej Tarkowski
11. Experimental Models of Superantigen-Mediated Neuropathology, Malte E. Kornhuber, Alexander Emmer, Kristina Gerlach, and M. S. Staege
12. Novel Experimental Models for Dissecting Genetic Susceptibility of Superantigen-Mediated Diseases, Eva Medina
Section V. Therapeutic Interventions in Superantigen-Mediated Diseases
13. Intravenous Immunoglobulin Therapy in Superantigen-Mediated Toxic Shock Syndrome, Anna Norrby-Teglund, Donald E. Low, and Malak Kotb
14. Broad-Spectrum Peptide Antagonists of Superantigen Toxins, Revital Levy, Iris Nasie, Dalia Hillman, Gila Arad, and Raymond Kaempfer
15. Small Nonpeptide Inhibitors of Staphylococcal Superantigen-Induced Cytokine Production and Toxic Shock, Teresa Krakauer
16. Countermeasures against Superantigens: Structure-Based Design of Bispecific Receptor Mimics, Goutam Gupta and Meghan Kunkel