Molecular mimicry and multiple sclerosis: degenerate T-cell recognition and the induction of autoimmunity

B Gran, B Hemmer, M Vergelli, H F McFarland, R Martin, B Gran, B Hemmer, M Vergelli, H F McFarland, R Martin

Abstract

Various mechanisms have been proposed for the initiation of autoimmune responses by autoreactive T-cell clones. One of these, the molecular mimicry hypothesis, postulates that myelin-reactive T-cell clones are activated by foreign antigens. Until recently, sequence homology between self- and foreign antigens was considered necessary for cross-recognition to occur in multiple sclerosis. This article reviews current progress in T-cell receptor immunology that led to modify this view and proposes a role for degenerate T-cell antigen recognition in the induction of autoimmunity.

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