title: Contra: evidence against a primary lesion in the target organ in autoimmune disease.
abstract: We discuss evidence suggesting that autoreactive T cell clones are components of the normal immune repertoire. Since these lymphocytes reach the brain only in the activated state, activation must take place outside of the target tissue. Within the brain, most of the autoimmune T cells undergo apoptosis rather than further proliferation.
authors.affiliation: Max-Planck-Institute for Psychiatry, Martinsried, FRG.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wekerle
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lassmann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D004681:Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*