Infection-triggered autoimmunity

Molecular mechanisms of autoimmunity triggered by microbial infection

Autoimmunity can be triggered by microbial infection. In this context, the discovery of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) provides new insights and research perspectives. TLRs induce innate and adaptive antimicrobial immune responses upon exposure to common pathogen-associated molecules, including lipopeptides, lipopolysaccharides, and nucleic acids. They also have the potential, however, to trigger a...

Infection and Autoimmunity

Infection and Autoimmunity

As the editors imply in their introduction, the relationship of infection and autoimmunity is complex, compelling, and best viewed as a physiologic process and potential consequence of normal immune recognition and immunoregulation. The editors boldly state that reading the chapters in this book brings one to the conclusion that all autoimmune diseases are infectious, until proven otherwise (my...

HBV infection, vaccination and autoimmunity

• Vol 10 • January 2008 HBV: Infection, Vaccination and Autoimmunity The idea that infectious agents in general, and viruses in particular, could trigger the development of autoimmune diseases in genetically susceptible individuals has been raised in various clinical and epidemiological studies [1]. Also included in the medical literature are case reports, ecological association studies, as wel...

Siglec-H protects from virus-triggered severe systemic autoimmunity

It is controversial whether virus infections can contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases. Type I interferons (IFNs) are critical antiviral cytokines during virus infections and have also been implicated in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus. Type I IFN is mainly produced by plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs). The secretion of type I IFN of pDCs is modulated by Siglec...