Molecular mimicry and multiple sclerosis: Degenerate T-cell recognition and the induction of autoimmunity

Bruno Gran, Bernhard Hemmer, Marco Vergelli, Henry F. McFarland, Roland Martin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

99 Scopus citations

Abstract

Various mechanisms have been proposed for the initiation of autoimmune responses by autoreactive T-cell clones. One of these, the molecular mimicry hypothesis, postulates that myelin-reactive T-cell clones are activated by foreign antigens. Until recently, sequence homology between self- and foreign antigens was considered necessary for cross-recognition to occur in multiple sclerosis. This article reviews current progress in T-cell receptor immunology that led to modify this view and proposes a role for degenerate T- cell antigen recognition in the induction of autoimmunity.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)559-567
Number of pages9
JournalAnnals of Neurology
Volume45
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 1999
Externally publishedYes

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