title: Human autoimmune diseases are specific antigen-driven T-cell diseases: identification of the antigens.
abstract: We are investigating the hypothesis that most human autoimmune diseases are specific antigen-driven T-cell diseases. T-cell clones responding to specific antigenic epitopes are responsible for the initiation and/or the propagation of these diseases. Similarly, specific antigen-driven T-cell responses are responsible for the rejection of organ allografts and the immune response to tumors. Activated T cells provide the "engine" for the chronic inflammation that is associated with autoimmune diseases, organ graft rejection and tumor immunity. The best way to identify whether specific antigen-driven T cell responses are involved in the initiation and/or propagation of these disorders is to investigate whether T cells that infiltrate relevant tissues from these diseases contain monoclonal or oligoclonal, that is to say clonally expanded, populations of T cells. Identification of the T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) transcripts employed by the clonally expanded T cells in these patients permits the identification of the specific antigens that elicit these T-cell responses. These antigens may be responsible for the pathogenesis of these diseases. We will summarize here certain of our findings in this area of research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Temple University School of Medicine, 3400 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA. Chris.Platsoucas@temple.edu
authors.forename: Chris D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Platsoucas
authors.forename: Emilia L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Oleszak
mesh_terms: D000941:Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D018716:Molecular Mimicry; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D000941:Antigens; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell