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. 2006 Nov 21;103(47):17858-61.
doi: 10.1073/pnas.0608683103. Epub 2006 Nov 13.

On the definition of a criterion of immunogenicity

Thomas Pradeu  1 , Edgardo D Carosella
Affiliations

On the definition of a criterion of immunogenicity

Thomas Pradeu et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. .

Abstract

The main objective of immunology is to establish why and when an immune response occurs, that is, to determine a criterion of immunogenicity. According to the consensus view, the proper criterion of immunogenicity lies in the discrimination between self and nonself. Here we challenge this consensus by suggesting a simpler and more comprehensive criterion, the criterion of continuity. Moreover, we show that this criterion may be considered as an interpretation of the immune "self." We conclude that immunologists can continue to speak of the self, provided that they admit that the self/nonself discrimination is not an adequate criterion of immunogenicity.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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