title: The role of autoantigen in autoimmunity.
abstract: Autoimmunity in disease is driven by autoantigen. Cell surface molecules may stimulate autoreactive T-helpers if class II MHC is expressed; special factors may predispose to the ease of class II induction. Soluble autoantigens may be focused by primed B cells and processed for presentation to T cells. Autoantigenicity may be influenced by metabolic events: (a) Poorly iodinated thyroglobulin does not induce thyroiditis, and (b) IgG in rheumatoid arthritis has galactose deficient Fc oligosaccharides. Glycosylation defects may prove to have wide implications.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology; D000940:Antigenic Variation; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D006031:Glycosylation; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000378:metabolism; D013954:Thyroglobulin / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D001324:Autoantigens; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D013954:Thyroglobulin