Abstract
The mechanisms by which microbial peptide antigens and superantigens might initiate and perpetuate autoimmune responses against antigens of the central nervous system are discussed. A model will be proposed that includes the initial activation of naive T lymphocytes through T cell receptor-mediated recognition of microbial antigens presented by MHC class II molecules. This event might be followed by re-activation of autoreactive T cells by bacterial and viral superantigens. Both mechanisms could lead to acute and relapsing autoimmune disease.
MeSH terms
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Animals
- Autoimmune Diseases / etiology
- Autoimmune Diseases / immunology*
- Autoimmune Diseases / physiopathology*
- Bacterial Proteins / immunology
- Central Nervous System Diseases / etiology
- Central Nervous System Diseases / immunology*
- Central Nervous System Diseases / physiopathology*
- Fungal Proteins / immunology
- Humans
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Peptides / immunology*
- Superantigens / immunology*
- T-Lymphocytes / immunology
- Viral Proteins / immunology
Substances
- Bacterial Proteins
- Fungal Proteins
- Peptides
- Superantigens
- Viral Proteins