Official websites use .gov
A
.gov website belongs to an official
government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (
) or https:// means you've safely
connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive
information only on official, secure websites.
The expansion of autoreactive CD4+ T cells due to the molecular mimicry between foreign and self-antigens. The presentation of viral or bacterial antigenic peptides on MHC-II molecules, structurally similar to self-antigens, may result in the expansion of CD4+ T cells, specific to exogenous pMHC. Expanded CD4+ T cells, specific for foreign peptides, can bind the self-antigen pMHC, which results in the development of autoimmunity.
