[Immunopathogenic mechanisms in autoimmune processes: autoantigens]

The primary function of the immune system is the recognition of the organism's own structures (self) which are to be tolerated, and alien structures (non-self) which are to be eliminated. In some cases, however, the immune mechanisms react against their own structures thus resulting in autoimmune processes which lead to autoimmune diseases. The paper analyzes the problem of autoantigens (sequestered, modified, cross-reacting), superantigens and the problem of cryptic determinants in the development of autoimmune processes, namely on the basis of the loss of the central or peripheral tolerance. (Tab. 4, Fig. 5, Ref. 38.)