Role of immunologic cross-reactivity in neurological diseases
Autor(es): Ercolini Anne M,Miller Stephen D
Resumo: Although the immune system evolved to protect the host from foreign infection, it can sometimes recognize and attack host tissues, a phenomenon known as autoimmunity. In addition to genetic factors, environmental elements such as viruses and bacteria are thought to play a role in the development of autoimmune diseases. The major hypothesized mechanism by which infection with these agents can lead to autoimmunity is termed molecular mimicry. Here, immune responses initiated against foreign antigens are cross-reactive with self-antigens. This is thought to occur especially if the foreign antigen is similar in structure or amino acid sequence to the self-antigen. In this review, we explore evidence for the role of molecular mimicry in neurological diseases.
Palavras-Chave: Autoimmunity; Disease models; Immunology; Molecular mimicry
Imprenta: Neurological Research, v. 27, n. 7, p. 726-733, 2005
Identificador do objeto digital: 10.1179/016164105X49508
Descritores: Guillain-Barre Syndrome - Molecular Structure ; Guillain-Barre Syndrome - Pathogenesis ; Guillain-Barre Syndrome - Autoimmunity ; Guillain-Barre Syndrome - Viral infections ; Guillain-Barre Syndrome - Virus ; Guillain-Barre Syndrome - Immunology
Data de publicação: 2005
