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Review
. 2006 Feb;39(1):31-9.
doi: 10.1080/08916930500484674.

Molecular mimicry in the autoimmune pathogenesis of rheumatic heart disease

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Free article
Review

Molecular mimicry in the autoimmune pathogenesis of rheumatic heart disease

Luiza Guilherme et al. Autoimmunity. 2006 Feb.
Free article

Abstract

Molecular mimicry is a hallmark of the pathogenesis of rheumatic fever where the streptococcal group A carbohydrate epitope, N-acetyl glucosamine, and the a-helical coiled-coil streptococcal M protein structurally mimic cardiac myosin in the human disease, rheumatic carditis, and in animal models immunized with streptococcal M protein and cardiac myosin. Recent studies have unraveled the potential pathogenic mechanisms by which the immune response against the group A streptococcus attacks the rheumatic valve leading to chronic rheumatic heart disease. Both B- and T-cell responses are involved in the process, and evidence for the hypotheses of molecular mimicry and epitope spreading are reviewed.

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