A concept of immune regulation of somatic cell differentiation

On the basis of several lines of experimental evidence a hypothesis is advanced on autoimmune regulation of somatic cell differentiation in an immunologically mature organism ("self-anti-self" hypothesis of differentiation). There are supposed to be clones of lymphocytes interacting via their antigen-recognizing receptors with autologous differentiation antigens on various target cells. This interaction would modify the genetically determined rate of cell differentiation. Some implications of the hypothesis are discussed in relation to immunological memory, tolerance etc. In particular, the new concept might imply similarity (or identity) of the genes coding for autologous differentiation antigens and those responsible for the idiotypes of antigen-recognizing lymphocyte receptors.