Acquired immune deficiency syndrome caused by hyperimmunity

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Autoimmunity
• Immunodeficiency

Background:

• Normal immune function relies on a balanced network of T and B cells.
• Disequilibrium in this immune network leads to immunodeficiency and hyperimmunity.
• Self-reactivity and autoimmunity are implicated in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Purpose of the Study:

• To explain the role of self-targeting immunity in acquired immunodeficiency.
• To propose treatment strategies for immunodeficiency characterized by hyperimmunity.

Main Methods:

• Review of immune network dynamics in various immunodeficiency disorders.
• Analysis of self-reactivity mechanisms in autoimmune conditions and HIV infection.

Main Results:

• Continuous immune network disequilibrium results in general immunodeficiency with oligo- and polyclonal hyperimmunity.
• Spontaneous reticuloendotheliosis, paraneoplastic autoimmune syndromes, and HIV infection exemplify this disequilibrium.
• Autologous graft-versus-host reaction and a priori self-targeting immunity are key factors in immunodeficiency and autoimmunity.

Conclusions:

• Self-targeting immunity is a critical mechanism explaining autoimmunity in acquired immunodeficiency.
• Proposed treatments for hyperimmune immunodeficiency include immunological suppression and bone-marrow transplantation for network reconstitution.