Cytotoxic T lymphocytes and autoimmunity.
OBJECTIVE
The possibility of the recognition by cytotoxic T lymphocytes of tissue autoantigens has been largely ignored in explaining organ-specific autoimmune diseases. Recent advances in the understanding of human leukocyte antigen class I-binding peptides motifs have led to the detection and the characterization of those autoreactive CD8(+) cytotoxic T lymphocytes involved in organ-specific autoimmune diseases. The purpose of this review is to discuss recent studies that shed light on the implication of cytotoxic T lymphocytes in several autoimmune disorders as well as the mechanisms underlying their stimulation.


RESULTS
Significant progress has been made in the characterization of autoantigens targeted by cytotoxic T lymphocytes in several class I-restricted autoimmune diseases, including Behçet's disease and ankylosing spondylitis, and their implication in systemic autoimmune disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus. Moreover, the signals involved in the activation of autoreactive cytotoxic T lymphocytes have been better characterized, particularly the molecular requirements of the antigen presentation at the surface of the dendritic cell system, mainly because of a better understanding of the Toll-like receptor-induced signals or the discovery of a defect in regulatory T cells.


CONCLUSIONS
New findings in the pathophysiology of cytotoxic T lymphocytes in autoimmunity and especially a better comprehension of their activation may give a new impetus for the development of targeted immunologic therapies in various autoimmune disorders.
Blanco
Patrick
P
Clinique de Médecine Interne, Hôpital Haut-Lévêque, Pessac, France. patrick.blanco@u-bordeaux2.fr
Viallard
Jean-François
JF
Pellegrin
Jean-Luc
JL
Moreau
Jean-François
JF
D000818:Animals; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000276:immunology*; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology*
D001324:Autoantigens; D016827:CD8 Antigens