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Will therapeutic peptides be kryptonite for superantigens?

Toxic shock syndrome is caused by bacterial production of exotoxins called superantigens. New therapeutic peptides reduce superantigen toxicity by interfering with the ability of superantigens to induce a cellular immune response, and also serve as potent adjuvants to increase the neutralizing antibody response (pages 414–421 ).

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Figure 1: Model for superantigen induction of TSS.

Bob Crimi

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Schlievert, P. Will therapeutic peptides be kryptonite for superantigens?. Nat Med 6, 378–379 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/74630

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