DiscovEpi: automated whole proteome MHC-I-epitope prediction and visualization.

Background: Antigen presentation is a central step in initiating and shaping the adaptive immune response. To activate CD8 T cells, pathogen-derived peptides are presented on the cell surface of antigen-presenting cells bound to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules. CD8 T cells that recognize these complexes with their T cell receptor are activated and ideally eliminate infected cells.

Toxin exposure and HLA alleles determine serum antibody binding to toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 (TSST-1) of .

Life-threatening toxic shock syndrome is often caused by the superantigen toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) produced by . A well-known risk factor is the lack of neutralizing antibodies. To identify determinants of the anti-TSST-1 antibody response, we examined 976 participants of the German population-based epidemiological Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP-TREND-0).

Allergy-A New Role for T Cell Superantigens of ?

superantigens (SAgs) are among the most potent T cell mitogens known. They stimulate large fractions of T cells by cross-linking their T cell receptor with major histocompatibility complex class-II molecules on antigen presenting cells, resulting in T cell proliferation and massive cytokine release. To date, 26 different SAgs have been described in the species ; they comprise the toxic shock syndrome toxin (TSST-1), as well as 25 staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs) or enterotoxin-like proteins (SEls).