title: Immunology primer.
abstract: The immune system, through a complex interplay of highly specialized cells and a seemingly endless number of soluble mediators, works to ensure protection from the potentially harmful pathogens that we encounter in our lifetime. The development of the immune system is a compromise between the necessity to recognize foreign peptides in the context of self-molecules (MHC) and the need to be tolerant to all self-peptides. Despite the large number of mechanisms in place to ensure the removal or suppression of self-reactive lymphocytes, the system is not 100% effective, with the occasional result of autoimmunity. A number of autoimmune disorders occur together and a better understanding of the genetic basis underlying this association should lead to an enhanced ability to predict, diagnose, and develop therapies aimed at preventing and treating these diseases.
authors.affiliation: Medical Scientist Training Program, Department of Immunology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Box B140, 4200 East 9th Ave., Denver, CO 80262, USA.
authors.forename: David T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Robles
authors.forename: George S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Eisenbarth
mesh_terms: D017951:Antigen Presentation; D015551:Autoimmunity; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D005805:Genes, MHC Class I; D005802:Genes, MHC Class II; D006680:HLA Antigens; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007109:Immunity; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D006680:HLA Antigens