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Isolation and Th17 Differentiation of Naïve CD4 T Lymphocytes
Published on: September 26, 2013
Dendritic cells in autoimmune diseases.
B Ludewig1, T Junt, H Hengartner
1Institute of Experimental Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Zürich, Schmelzbergstrasse 12, CH-8091, Zürich, Switzerland. ludewigb@pathol.unizh.ch
Current Opinion in Immunology
|October 26, 2001
Summary
Subclinical autoimmune responses are common, but sustained self-antigen presentation by dendritic cells is key for developing autoimmune diseases. Viral infections can lower the threshold for disease by increasing self-antigens and inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Autoimmunity
- Pathogenesis of Autoimmune Diseases
Background:
- Subclinical autoimmune responses are frequent in healthy individuals.
- Autoimmune diseases require sustained activation of autoreactive lymphocytes and ongoing tissue destruction.
- Prolonged self-antigen presentation by dendritic cells is critical for developing destructive autoimmune disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss a simplified threshold model for autoimmune response magnitude.
- To identify key parameters influencing the development of autoimmune disease.
- To explore factors that lower the threshold for converting autoimmune responses to overt disease.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual modeling of autoimmune response thresholds.
- Review of clinical and experimental evidence on antigen presentation.
- Analysis of factors influencing autoimmune disease development.
Main Results:
- The magnitude of autoimmune response depends on the amount and duration of self-peptide presentation by dendritic cells.
- Multiple factors influence the threshold for autoimmune response conversion to overt disease.
- Viral infections can promote autoimmune disease by increasing self-antigens, causing bystander activation, and promoting chronic inflammation.
Conclusions:
- Sustained dendritic cell presentation of self-antigens is a crucial step in autoimmune disease pathogenesis.
- A threshold model highlights the interplay between antigen load, presentation duration, and external factors like viral infections.
- Understanding these factors is vital for developing strategies to prevent or treat autoimmune diseases.
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