'To elucidate the in vivo function of neoself-antigens presented on MHC-II by decreased Ii expression, we analyzed the antigen specificity of clonally expanded autoreactive T cells in SLE patients as well as in drug-inducible Ii knockout (Ii-iKO) mice, which allowed us to delete the Ii from adult mice. We demonstrate that neoself-antigens presented on MHC-II upon decreases in Ii expression levels are recognized by CD4+ T cells as non-self-antigens and are the primary targets for autoreactive T cells clonally expanded in SLE patients. Furthermore, we suggested that EBV reactivation, which downregulates Ii expression, could be involved in the activation of neoself-reactive T cells.'
#Immunology #Autoimmunity
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0092867424009139