[Role of bacterial polyclonal activators in autoimmunity]

Polyclonal activation of lymphocytes constitutes a non-specific stimulation resulting in the production and secretion by these cells of biologically active molecules, including antibodies. Polyclonal activation of human and animal lymphocytes can be observed, usually in vitro, with many active macromolecules of bacterial origin (surface constituants or excreted compounds). It is a complex phenomenon which may involve several cell populations (B-lymphocytes, T-lymphocytes, macrophages, etc.) and numerous mediators (lymphokines, monokines, etc.). An ever increasing collection of data suggests that polyclonal activators induce the synthesis of a variety of antibodies directed against the host (auto-antibodies). The relationship between auto-immune diseases and the presence of polyclonal activators in situ is discussed.