Control of autoimmunity by "epitope theft".
We all possess T cells with autoaggressive potential. Knowledge of their regulation is crucial for elucidating pathogenetic pathways and designing effective treatments for autoimmune diseases. A novel mechanism of T-cell silencing--in an autoimmune model--has recently been identified and is termed "epitope theft". The "thieves" are naive CD8+ T cells, which apparently "steal" MHC-class-I-antigen complexes from antigen-presenting cells (APCs). The deprived APCs can no longer activate other potentially pathogenic naive CD8+ T cells that are specific for the same epitope. This phenomenon is a previously unrecognized antigen-specific mode of protection against autoimmunity.
Kranc
Kamil R
KR
MRC Human Immunology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK.
Taylor
Andrew M
AM
Willcox
Nicholas
N
Fugger
Lars
L
D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D015551:Autoimmunity; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D016056:Immunodominant Epitopes / Q000276:immunology; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D016827:CD8 Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D016056:Immunodominant Epitopes