A stepwise model of polyreactivity of the T cell antigen-receptor (TCR): its impact on the self-nonself discrimination and on related observations (receptor editing, anergy, dual receptor cells).

ABSTRACT: The existence of antigen-receptors, BCR, and T cell antigen-receptors, that are "polyreactive", necessitates a rethinking of its effect on two problems faced by the "adaptive" immune system: the self (S)-nonself (NS) discrimination and the determination of effector class. Here, we will concentrate on the impact of polyreactivity on the S-NS discrimination. The anti-S cells interacting with S (i.e., responding to Signal 1) are on the pathway to inactivation. Before irreversibility sets in, these cells can be activated by a second signal (Signal 2) from an effector T-helper (eTh). As these polyreactive anti-S cells express anti-NS specificities, they can be activated by recognition of NS-epitopes in the host's normal immunogenic load with the potential to result in autoimmunity. This problem

SUBMITTER: Cohn M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11924758 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature