Superantigens and their role in autoimmune disorders.

The ability of superantigens to activate large numbers of T cells suggests that they may play a role in the course of autoimmune disorders. Data from several animal models of autoimmune disorders including experimental allergic encephalomyelitis and collagen induced arthritis supports this hypothesis. Administration of bacterial superantigens can induce an exacerbation of the autoimmune process in these models, or induce disease de novo in the appropriately immunized animal. Studies of several human disorders including rheumatoid arthritis, Kawasaki disease, insulin-dependent diabetes, and psoriasis lend credence to the concept that bacterial superantigens may play a role in the pathogenesis of these diseases. Nevertheless, in some cases, depending on the timing of administration and the model, superantigens may lead to an amelioration of the autoimmune process. Based on these results in seems logical to conclude that superantigens can have a significant impact on the course of the immune and autoimmune mediated disorders.