Staphylococcal enterotoxin B

A molecular model of Staphylococcal enterotoxin B. This bacterial superantigen has extremely strong immunostimulatory properties, cross linking MHC class II molecules with T-cell receptors to bring about cytokine production in T- cells which leads onto various shock related symptoms. It usually causes symptoms in the gut but can also cause symptoms including septic shock on inhalation. This effect could lead to this superantigen being used as a biological weapon.