Does AIDS emerge from a disequilibrium between two complementary groups of molecules that mimic MHC?
There is increasing evidence that a disturbance of self-nonself-recognition plays an important role in the immunopathogenesis of AIDS. Here, Caner Susal, Volker Daniel and Gerhard Opelz speculate that the immune system is balanced between two groups of molecules that mimic major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins; AIDS is suggested to emerge as a consequence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disturbing this balance in favor of anti-MHC class II responses.
Susal
C
C
Department of Transplantation Immunology, Institute of Immunology, University of Heidelberg, Germany. caner.suesal@krzmail.krz.uni-heidelberg.de
Daniel
V
V
Opelz
G
G
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D015551:Autoimmunity; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000502:physiology*; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans
D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II