Viruses and Autoimmunity

[n.panjwani at ic.ac.uk]

Yesterday I posted a question regarding the ability of orthopoxviruses to
induce autoimmunity by interacting with the cytokine system. Although I am
still not at a satisfactory solution, I would like to expand the matter and
ask the following:

Are there mechanisms, other than molecular mimicry of host proteins, by
which viruses can induce autoimmunity, ie. by direct interaction of viral
products (cytokine homologues, receptor homologues, etc.) with the host
immune system.

Naveed

(PS: Thanks to Sue Gdovin for her help....)
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Naveed Panjwani
Dept of Clinical Sciences
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
University of London
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