This volume focuses on the evidence for or against molecular mimicry as a cause of autoimmunity. Contributions from recognized experts present their original findings, and the final chapter reviews the overall perspective of molecular mimicry, how to use its principles in clinical investigation and list the conceptual traits by which autoimmune disaese can occur.

Inhalt

Overview: Infectious Agents as Etiologic Triggers of Autoimmune Disease.- Cross-Reactivity Between Streptococcus and Human Tissue: A Model of Molecular Mimicry and Autoimmunity.- A Cartilage-Mimicking T-Cell Epitope on a 65K Mycobacterial Heat-Shock Protein: Adjuvant Arthritis as a Model for Human Rheumatoid Arthritis.- Klebsiella pneumoniae and HLA B27-Associated Diseases of Reiter's Syndrome and Ankylosing Spondylitis.- Molecular Mimicry and Microorganisms: A Role in the Pathogenesis of Myasthenia Gravis?.- Celiac Disease: Adenovirus and Alpha Gliadin.- Autoimmunity and Chagas' Disease.- Immune Responses Against Myelin Basic Protein and/or Galactocerebroside Cross-React with Viruses: Implications for Demyelinating Disease.- Molecular Mimicry: Parasite Evasion and Host Defense.- Molecular Mimicry and Diabetes.- Molecular Mimicry as a Mechanism for the Cause and as a Probe Uncovering Etiologic Agent(s) of Autoimmune Disease.