Molecular Mimicry, Bystander Activation, or Viral Persistence: Infections and Autoimmune Disease

Overview

Journal Clin Microbiol Rev

Publisher American Society for Microbiology

Specialty Microbiology

Date 2006 Jan 19

PMID 16418524

Citations 275

Authors

Robert S Fujinami

Matthias G von Herrath

Urs Christen

J Lindsay Whitton

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Virus infections and autoimmune disease have long been linked. These infections often precede the occurrence of inflammation in the target organ. Several mechanisms often used to explain the association of autoimmunity and virus infection are molecular mimicry, bystander activation (with or without epitope spreading), and viral persistence. These mechanisms have been used separately or in various combinations to account for the immunopathology observed at the site of infection and/or sites of autoimmune disease, such as the brain, heart, and pancreas. These mechanisms are discussed in the context of multiple sclerosis, myocarditis, and diabetes, three immune-medicated diseases often linked with virus infections.

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