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T Cell Activation as Starter and Motor of Rheumatic Inflammation

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Current Concepts in Autoimmunity and Chronic Inflammation

Part of the book series: Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology ((CT MICROBIOLOGY,volume 305))

Abstract

Rheumatic inflammation is driven by sustained specific immunity against self-antigens, resulting in local inflammation and cellular infiltration and, subsequently, in tissue damage. Although the specific autoantigen(s) eliciting the detrimental immune reactions in rheumatic diseases have rarely been defined, it has become clear that the mechanisms resulting in the destruction of tissue and the loss of organ function during the course of the diseases are essentially the same as in protective immunity against invasive microorganisms. Of fundamental importance in initiating, controlling, and driving these specific immune responses are CD4 T cells. Currently available data provide compelling evidence for a major role of CD4 T cells in the initiation and perpetuation of chronic rheumatic inflammation. Consequently, T cell-directed therapies have been employed with substantial clinical success in the treatment of rheumatic diseases. Here, we review current knowledge based on which CD4 T cells can be implicated as the motor of rheumatic inflammation.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nikolaus Fiebiger Center for Molecular Medicine, Clinical Research Group III, Department of Internal Medicine III and Institute for Clinical Immunology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Glückstrasse 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany

    A. Skapenko & H. Schulze-Koops

  2. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA

    P. E. Lipsky

Authors
  1. A. Skapenko
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  2. P. E. Lipsky
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  3. H. Schulze-Koops
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Deutsches Rheumaforschungszentrum Berlin (DRFZ), Schumannstr.21/22, 10117, Berlin, Germany

    Andreas Radbruch Ph.D.

  2. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD, 20892-1560, USA

    Peter E. Lipsky MD

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Skapenko, A., Lipsky, P.E., Schulze-Koops, H. (2006). T Cell Activation as Starter and Motor of Rheumatic Inflammation. In: Radbruch, A., Lipsky, P.E. (eds) Current Concepts in Autoimmunity and Chronic Inflammation. Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology, vol 305. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg . https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-29714-6_10

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