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Molecular mimicry and auto-immunity

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Abstract

The term “molecular mimicry” was coined by R. Damian in 1964, who was first to suggest that antigenic determinants of micro-organisms may resemble antigenic determinants of their host. Damian suggested that this similarity served as a defense mechanism of a microorganism from the host’s immune system and prevented the development of immune response to the micro-organism, thereby protecting it from host defense. Years later, the term “molecular mimicry” was attributed a different meaning—namely, antigenic determinants of microorganisms might elicit an auto-immune response that harms the host. The concept of molecular mimicry is based on a structural similarity between a pathogen or metabolite and self-structures. The similarity could be expressed as shared amino acid sequences (linear or mimotope) or similar conformational structure between a pathogen and self-antigen.

“Molecular mimicry” has become a very popular explanation for the frequent association of infection with auto-immune disease.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Department of Medicine ‘B’, Sheba Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Israel

    Miri Blank, Ori Barzilai & Yehuda Shoenfeld

  2. Incumbent of the Laura Schwarz-Kipp Chair for Research of Autoimmune Diseases, Tel-Aviv University, Israel

    Yehuda Shoenfeld

Authors
  1. Miri Blank
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  2. Ori Barzilai
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  3. Yehuda Shoenfeld
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Correspondence to Yehuda Shoenfeld.

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Blank, M., Barzilai, O. & Shoenfeld, Y. Molecular mimicry and auto-immunity. Clinic Rev Allerg Immunol 32, 111–118 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02686087

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02686087

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