Abstract.
Molecular mimicry, the concept that antigenic determinants of microorganisms resemble antigenic determinants of the host, is frequently cited as a plausible mechanism to account for the association of infection and autoimmune disease. Based on analogous sequences of amino acids or on cross-reactions of monoclonal antibodies, numerous examples of such mimicry have been reported. There are, however, no clear examples of a human disease caused by molecular mimicry.
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Rose*, N., Mackay, I. Molecular mimicry: a critical look at exemplary instances in human diseases . CMLS, Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 57, 542–551 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/PL00000716
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/PL00000716