Infections, antigen-presenting cells, T cells, and immune tolerance: their role in the pathogenesis of immune thrombocytopenia.
In the last 20 years, many publications have shed new light on the complex immunopathogenesis of immune thrombocytopenic purpura. They are associated with 3 interrelated areas of environmental autoimmunity, for example, infectious influences, antigen-presenting cell (APC) function, and T-cell abnormalities, particularly tolerance induction. This article highlights the recent literature and argues that infectious agents and platelets can significantly modulate APCs, which create an environment that dysregulates autoreactive T cells, leading to the production of autoantibodies.
Semple
John W
JW
Keenan Research Centre, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St Michael's Hospital, 30 Bond Street, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1W8, Canada. semplej@smh.toronto.on.ca
D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000502:physiology*; D007239:Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*