MICROBIAL PEPTIDES AND SUPERANTIGENS IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF AUTOIMMUNE-DISEASES OF THE CENTRAL-NERVOUS-SYSTEM

The mechanisms by which microbial peptide antigens and superantigens m ight initiate and perpetuate autoimmune responses against antigens of the central nervous system are discussed. A model will be proposed tha t includes the initial activation of naive T lymphocytes through T cel l receptor-mediated recognition of microbial antigens presented by MHC class II molecules. This event might be followed by re-activation of autoreactive T cells by bacterial and viral superantigens. Bath mechan isms could lead to acute and relapsing autoimmune disease.