Infectious diseases and autoimmunity

Abstract

Introduction: Autoimmunity occurs when the immune system recognizes and attacks host tissue. In addition to genetic factors, environmental triggers (in particular viruses, bacteria and other infectious pathogens) are thought to play a major role in the development of autoimmune diseases. Methodology: We searched PubMed, Cochrane, and Scopus without time limits for relevant articles. Results: In this review, we (i) describe the ways in which an infectious agent can initiate or exacerbate autoimmunity; (ii) discuss the evidence linking certain infectious agents to autoimmune diseases in humans; and (iii) describe the animal models used to study the link between infection and autoimmunity. Conclusions: Besides genetic predisposition to autoimmunity, viral and bacterial infections are known to be involved in the initiation and promotion of autoimmune diseases. These studies suggest that pathogens can trigger autoimmunity through molecular mimicry and their adjuvant effects during initiation of disease, and can promote autoimmune responses through bystander activation or epitope spreading via inflammation and/or superantigens.

Immunological and pathological investigations in equine experimental uveitis

“…In most autoimmune diseases, several autoantigens participate in the pathogenesis, and epitope spreading, molecular mimicry, and bystander activation are accountable for disease induction, progression, and inflammatory relapses (Delogu et al 2011;Venkatesha Shivaprasad et al 2015). Several retinal autoantigens, such as S-antigen (S-Ag), IRBP, and CRALBP have been identified and shared between equine and human uveitis patients.…”

The transcription, translation, transport-trail and autoimmunity: Guilt by association

“…However some viral agents have been more closely associated with autoimmunity in animal models than others, via both B cell and T cell mediated mechanisms [45]. Autoimmune demyelinating disease has been associated with Semliki Forest virus (SFV) and Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) in mice [46,47].…”

Der p 2 can induce bystander activation of B cells derived from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

“…Bystander activation means an indirect or non-specific activation of autoimmune cells caused by the inflammatory environment present during infection (Delogu et al 2011). It can lead to enhanced processing and presentation of selfantigens, which induces the expansion or spreading of immune response toward different selfantigens (Gershwin 2008;Sfriso et al 2010).…”