Fig. 3

Schematic representation of T cell activation by a conventional peptide antigen (orange) and by a superantigen, binding unspecifically MHCII and T cell receptor, resulting to a massive, multiclonal release of T cell mediators and pro-inflammatory cytokines, in contrast to regulated, antigen-dependent inflammatory response during a conventional T cell activation, with activation of a single T cell clone. APC antigen-presenting cell, TcR T cell receptor, MHCII major histocompatibility class II molecule, TNF-α tumor necrosis factor alpha, IFN-γ interferon gamma, IL interleukin