Human autoimmune diseases are specific antigen-driven T-cell diseases: identification of the antigens

We are investigating the hypothesis that most human autoimmune diseases are specific antigen-driven T-cell diseases. T-cell clones responding to specific antigenic epitopes are responsible for the initiation and/or the propagation of these diseases. Similarly, specific antigen-driven T-cell responses are responsible for the rejection of organ allografts and the immune response to tumors. Activated T cells provide the engine for the chronic...