
      4 
 
2) Tolerance and autoimmunity 
 
Briefly explain the following mechanisms for the development of autoimmunity, and for each of them give an 
example. 
 
a) Viral infection…………… 
 
 
The  immune  response  against  a  virus  may  cross-react  with  normal  cellular  antigens 
(molecular mimicry).  
 
Example:  myelin  basic  protein  and  peptides  from  viruses  such  as  measles  virus,  influenza, 
adenovirus, hepatitis B, Epstein-Barr 
 
 
b) Tissue damage……………. 
 
 
If normally sequestered antigens are exposed, self-reactive T cells may be stimulated. 
 
Example:
 
Tissue lesion following an accident or a viral or bacterial infection (release of lens 
protein after eye damage or of heart muscle antigens after myocardial infarction) 
 
 
c) Polyclonal B cell activation……….
 
 
 
 
Some viruses and bacteria can induce nonspecific polyclonal B cell activation; B cells reactive 
to self antigens can be activated, with production of autoantibodies 
 
Example: Gram-negative bacteria, cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)  
  
 
d) Increased expression of class II MHC molecules……. 
 
 
Inappropriate antigen presentation may stimulate self-reactive T cells 
 
Example: increased expression of class II MHC molecules has been found on pancreatic beta 
cells  of  patients  with  insulin-dependent  diabetes  and  on  thyroid  cells  from  patients  with 
Grave’s disease