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