Abstract
It is speculated that presentation of self-peptides to autoreactive T cells normally results in T cell tolerance. In autoimmune conditions, breakdown in the tolerization process results in activation of self-reactive T cells and an immune attack on host tissues. Our understanding of the immune cells and signaling pathways that contribute to this breakdown in T cell tolerization mechanisms is beginning to be deciphered. In particular, the elucidation of the mechanisms that contribute to the release of host antigen, the identification of the antigen-presenting cells that present the host peptides to self-reactive T cells and the role of members of the tumor necrosis factor receptor/ligand families that contribute to inappropriate activation of self-reactive T cells is advancing. The accumulating data from these studies will hopefully provide new ideas for combating autoimmunity.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 663-9 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Current opinion in immunology |
Volume | 11 |
Issue number | 6 |
Publication status | Published - 1999 |
Keywords
- Animals
- Antigen-Presenting Cells
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1
- Humans
- Signal Transduction