[Mechanisms of autoimmunity and therapeutic implications]

Autoimmune diseases include systemic or tissue-specific disorders induced by antibodies or CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes and(or) CD4+ T lymphocytes that produce pro-inflammatory type-1 cytokines (gamma interferon and tumour necrosis factor). Some may be triggered by infectious agents. Search for predisposition genes is rapidly progressing. Disease-associated autoantibodies production requires T-B cell co-operation. Current research is focused on the characterisation of peptides processed from autoantigens and that of T lymphocytes involved in the initiation of the process. Those studies might eventually lead to immuno-intervention based on antigen administration aiming at the restoration of natural tolerance.