[Mechanisms of autoimmunity and therapeutic implications].
Autoimmune diseases include systemic or tissue-specific disorders induced by antibodies or CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes and(or) CD4+ T lymphocytes that produce pro-inflammatory type-1 cytokines (gamma interferon and tumour necrosis factor). Some may be triggered by infectious agents. Search for predisposition genes is rapidly progressing. Disease-associated autoantibodies production requires T-B cell co-operation. Current research is focused on the characterisation of peptides processed from autoantigens and that of T lymphocytes involved in the initiation of the process. Those studies might eventually lead to immuno-intervention based on antigen administration aiming at the restoration of natural tolerance.
Revillard
J P
JP
Fédération des laboratoires d'immunologie des Hospices civils de Lyon Hôpital Edouard-Herriot Pavillon P 69437 Lyon. jean-pierre.revillard@chu-lyon.fr
D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000276:immunology
D001323:Autoantibodies; D001324:Autoantigens; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D007371:Interferon-gamma