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Title: | Activation of myelin reactive T cells in multiple sclerosis: A possible role for T cell degeneracy? | Authors: | STINISSEN, Piet HELLINGS, Niels |
Issue Date: | 2008 | Publisher: | WILEY-VCH VERLAG GMBH | Source: | EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, 38(5). p. 1190-1193 | Abstract: | While it is widely accepted that myelin reactive T cells are key players in the immunopathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS), the initial triggers that turn on these self-reactive T-cells remain to be determined. one mechanism, which is already text book knowledge for a decade, is molecular mimicry by which viral or microbial antigens are able to cross-activate T cells specific for myelin epitopes, the major target in MS pathology. Although proof of concept for this principle was given in animal model studies, evidence for such a mechanism in MS is limited. In this issue, Zhang et al. demonstrate an increased frequency of T cells that cross-react with a wide variety of antigens, a phenomenon termed as T cell degeneracy. While the role of these degenerate T cells in MS remains to be determined the authors now provide new elegant tools to study this T cell population, thus providing a starting point to better understand their function in MS. | Notes: | Hasselt Univ, Biomed Res Inst, B-3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium. Transnatl Univ Limburg, Diepenbeek, Belgium. | Keywords: | autoimmunity; clinical immunology; neuroimmunology; T cells | Document URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/1942/8329 | ISSN: | 0014-2980 | e-ISSN: | 1521-4141 | DOI: | 10.1002/eji.200838371 | ISI #: | 000256073400002 | Category: | A2 | Type: | Journal Contribution |
Appears in Collections: | Research publications |
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