Table 1

Mechanisms Linking Infectious Pathogens & Autoimmune Disorders

Mechanism Description Examples

Molecular Mimicry Cross reactive T cells recognize Rheumatic heart disease, herpes stromal keratitis, Type 1

both foreign and self epitopes diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, oligoarticular juvenile

idiopathic arthritis, juvenile dermatomyositis

Epitope Spreading Microbially-induced T cell-mediated Thelier’s murine encephalomyelitis

tissue damage releases self antigens

that are then presented to local T cells

by antigen presenting cells

Bystander Activation Microbially-induced cytokine release Type 1 diabetes

stimulates self-reactive T cells