title: Peripheral antigen-expressing cells and autoimmunity.
abstract: There is growing evidence that self-molecules with tissue-restricted expression are also expressed at low levels in the thymus, where such expression may affect the development of self-tolerance. Genetic factors may modulate such expression and, in turn, influence susceptibility to autoimmune responses against specific molecules. Contrasting reports exist regarding the phenotype of the cells that express self-molecules in the thymus. Indeed, both bone marrow derived antigen-presenting cells and thymic epithelial cells were reported to express self-molecules with tissue-restricted expression. Further studies of these cells and the mechanisms by which they exert their putative tolerogenic effects clearly are necessary.
authors.affiliation: Immunogenetics Program, Diabetes Research Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, 1450 NW 10th Ave., Miami, FL 33136, USA. apuglies@med.miami.edu
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pugliese
mesh_terms: D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology*; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007328:Insulin / Q000276:immunology; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000276:immunology*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein / Q000276:immunology; D018991:Myelin Proteolipid Protein / Q000276:immunology; D017027:Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases / Q000276:immunology*; D054635:Receptor-Like Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases, Class 8; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D001324:Autoantigens; D007328:Insulin; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein; D018991:Myelin Proteolipid Protein; C516862:PTPRN protein, human; D017027:Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases; D054635:Receptor-Like Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases, Class 8