Autoantigens in an immunological network

An autoantigen network, consisting of all non-lymphoid cells and a subset of peripherally located autoregulatory lymphocytes, is proposed. By equilibrating a web of idiotypic stimulation (helper activity) and antiidiotypic inhibition (suppressor activity) directed at each tissue differentiation antigen, this network quantitatively limits autoantigen expression and thereby regulates the differentiation and growth homeostatic processes these autoantigens mediate. Perturbations of the network's dynamic equilibrium secondary to viral infection, somatic mutation, or interaction with environmental agents would clinically manifest themselves as autoimmune tissue destruction, benign or malignant nonlymphoid neoplasia, and lymphoproliferative disorders.