Lawrence Steinman
Publication Details
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Microbial peptides and superantigens in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system.
Semin Immunol. 1998; (1): 57-67
The mechanisms by which microbial peptide antigens and superantigens might initiate and perpetuate autoimmune responses against antigens of the central nervous system are discussed. A model will be proposed that includes the initial activation of naive T lymphocytes through T cell receptor-mediated recognition of microbial antigens presented by MHC class II molecules. This event might be followed by re-activation of autoreactive T cells by bacterial and viral superantigens. Both mechanisms could lead to acute and relapsing autoimmune disease.
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