Molecular mimicry in autoimmune disease

B cell epitope spreading: Mechanisms and contribution to autoimmune diseases

“…Molecular mimicry has been indicated as a contributing factor in autoimmune diseases such as type I diabetes [20], rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, glomerulonephritis [21], and systemic lupus erythematosus.…”

A Case of SAPHO Syndrome with Endodontic Implications and Treatment with Biologic Drugs

“…To date, P. acnes is the microorganism most strongly related to SS; it has been isolated in cutaneous lesions and 42%-67% of bone biopsies of patients with the syndrome (9,10,26,34,35). It was stipulated that P. acnes could be the cause of the immune stimulation against the self-structures in this syndrome (36)(37)(38).…”

“…Studies on P. acnes have shown its ability to stimulate the production of interleukin (IL)-1, IL-8, and TNF-a by PMNs, which in patients with SS are less concentrated (because of a desensitization probably linked to the chronic infection by P. acnes) (12,39). In addition, components of P. acnes have immune modulatory activity modulated by Toll-like receptor 9 (34,38). It has also been shown that P. acnes can trigger a nonspecific activation of cell-mediated immunity; the immune response that follows may be an attempt to remove the bacterium, potentially promoting continuation of the inflammation (9).…”

“…The close interaction between infection and rheumatic diseases has extensively been studied; infectious agents may be the basis of a phenomenon called molecular mimicry that leads to the creation of a crossreactive immune response that affects self-structures (11,34).…”

Predição In Silico de Epítopos de Microrganismos com Identidade a Autoantígenos Humanos

“…As doenças autoimunes chegam a afetar cerca de 5 a 8% da população dos Estados Unidos (NIH, 2004 (LEECH, 1998).…”