Pathophysiology of autoimmune diseases.
Immune reactions towards self antigens can lead to cell destruction and autoimmune disease. In this review it is summarized, how autoimmune diseases are classified from a clinical standpoint into organ-specific and systemic involvement and how our understanding has evolved during recent history. The experimental basis is discussed with transfer models, T-cell suppressor control, T-cell recognition of antigen presenting cells, T-cell clones and more recent transgenic mouse models. It is finally concluded that autoimmunity develops due to the direct activation of autoreactive CD4 positive T-cells. Monoclonal antibodies interfering with this interaction may prove a useful immune-intervention. However, antigens and relevant epitopes for autoimmune induction still need to be identified and characterized.
Boitard
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Immunologie Clinique, Hopital Necker, Paris, France.
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D051381:Rats
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001324:Autoantigens