title: [Principal mechanisms of autoimmunity].
abstract: T lymphocyte tolerance is achieved within the thymus (clonal deletion) and pursued in the peripheral organs (clonal anergy), whilst 'the B cell repertoire is skewed to favour low affinity autoantibodies. This tolerance may be bypassed through B cell polyclonal activation, autoantigen driving or major histocompatibility complex molecule engagement. Autoimmunity is perpetuated, due to control system deficiency, and leads to visceral complications. Autoantibodies and T lymphocytes may be pathogenic, as well as immune complexes.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire d'immunologie, Centre hospitalier universitaire, Brest.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Youinou
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies
vernacular_title: Grands mécanismes de l'auto-immunité.