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Molecular mimicry and immune‐mediated diseases
- Source :
- The FASEB Journal
- Publication Year :
- 1998
- Publisher :
- Wiley, 1998.
-
Abstract
- Molecular mimicry has been proposed as a pathogenetic mechanism for autoimmune disease, as well as a probe useful in uncovering its etiologic agents. The hypothesis is based in part on the abundant epidemiological, clinical, and experimental evidence of an association of infectious agents with autoimmune disease and observed cross‐reactivity of immune reagents with host ‘self’ antigens and microbial determinants. For our purpose, molecular mimicry is defined as similar structures shared by molecules from dissimilar genes or by their protein products. Either the molecules' linear amino acid sequences or their conformational fits may be shared, even though their origins are as separate as, for example, a virus and a normal host–self determinant. An immune response against the determinant shared by the host and virus can evoke a tissue‐specific immune response that is presumably capable of eliciting cell and tissue destruction. The probable mechanism is generation of cytotoxic cross‐reactive effector lymphocytes or antibodies that recognize specific determinants on target cells. The induction of cross‐reactivity does not require a replicating agent, and immune‐mediated injury can occur after the immunogen has been removed—a hit‐and‐run event. Hence, the viral or microbial infection that initiates the autoimmune phenomenon may not be present by the time overt disease develops. By a complementary mechanism, the microbe can induce cellular injury and release self antigens, which generate immune responses that cross‐react with additional but genetically distinct self antigens. In both scenarios, analysis of the T cells or antibodies specifically engaged in the autoimmune response and disease provides a fingerprint for uncovering the initiating infectious agent.—Oldstone, M. B. A. Molecular mimicry and immune‐mediated diseases. FASEB J. 12, 1255–1265 (1998)
- Subjects :
- Immunogen
Mice, Transgenic
autoimmune disease
insulin‐independent diabetes mellitus
Review
Cross Reactions
sequence sharing
medicine.disease_cause
Biochemistry
Virus
Autoimmune Diseases
Mice
Immune system
Antigen
HLA Antigens
Genetics
medicine
Animals
Humans
Genetic Predisposition to Disease
Antigens
Molecular Biology
HLA-B27 Antigen
Autoantibodies
Autoimmune disease
Molecular Structure
biology
Effector
Molecular Mimicry
medicine.disease
Molecular mimicry
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1
Virus Diseases
Immunology
biology.protein
Rabbits
microbial agent
Antibody
T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic
Biotechnology
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 15306860 and 08926638
- Volume :
- 12
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- The FASEB Journal
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....0ab70abfd00f56998505a3227d529bab