Role of immunologic cross-reactivity in neurological diseases

Although the immune system evolved to protect the host from foreign infection, it can sometimes recognize and attack host tissues, a phenomenon known as autoimmunity. In addition to genetic factors, environmental elements such as viruses and bacteria are thought to play a role in the development of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Neurological research (New York) 2005-10, Vol.27 (7), p.726-733
Main Authors: Ercolini, Anne M., Miller, Stephen D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
AUTOIMMUNITY
Cross Reactions
DISEASE MODELS
Guillain-Barre Syndrome - immunology
Humans
IMMUNOLOGY
Lyme Disease - immunology
Models, Neurological
MOLECUAR MIMICRY
Multiple Sclerosis - immunology
Myasthenia Gravis - immunology
Nervous System - immunology
Paraparesis, Tropical Spastic - immunology
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Summary:Although the immune system evolved to protect the host from foreign infection, it can sometimes recognize and attack host tissues, a phenomenon known as autoimmunity. In addition to genetic factors, environmental elements such as viruses and bacteria are thought to play a role in the development of autoimmune diseases. The major hypothesized mechanism by which infection with these agents can lead to autoimmunity is termed molecular mimicry. Here, immune responses initiated against foreign antigens are cross-reactive with self-antigens. This is thought to occur especially if the foreign antigen is similar in structure or amino acid sequence to the self-antigen. In this review, we explore evidence for the role of molecular mimicry in neurological diseases.
ISSN:0161-6412
1743-1328
DOI:10.1179/016164105X49508