Autoreactive T cells

Definition

Autoreactive T cells are a type of T cell that mistakenly targets and attacks the body’s own tissues, leading to autoimmune reactions. These cells arise when the immune system fails to distinguish between self and non-self antigens, resulting in the activation of T cells against the body’s own proteins. This misdirection can cause tissue damage and inflammation, playing a crucial role in various autoimmune disorders.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Autoreactive T cells are often implicated in diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and type 1 diabetes.
2. The development of autoreactive T cells can occur during thymic selection, where not all self-reactive T cells are eliminated.
3. Factors such as genetic predisposition, environmental triggers, and infections can contribute to the activation and proliferation of autoreactive T cells.
4. The presence of autoreactive T cells can lead to chronic inflammation and tissue destruction in affected organs.
5. Therapies targeting autoreactive T cells aim to restore immune tolerance and reduce tissue damage associated with autoimmune diseases.

Review Questions

• How do autoreactive T cells contribute to the pathology of autoimmune diseases?
  • Autoreactive T cells contribute to autoimmune diseases by recognizing and attacking the body’s own tissues as if they were foreign invaders. This inappropriate response results from a failure in the immune system's ability to distinguish self from non-self. As these T cells proliferate, they release inflammatory cytokines that exacerbate tissue damage, leading to the symptoms associated with various autoimmune disorders.
• Discuss the role of regulatory T cells in controlling autoreactive T cell activity within the immune system.
  • Regulatory T cells play a vital role in maintaining immune homeostasis by suppressing the activity of autoreactive T cells. They help prevent autoimmunity by promoting tolerance toward self-antigens, thus inhibiting excessive immune responses. A deficiency or dysfunction in regulatory T cell populations can lead to an increase in autoreactive T cell activity, contributing to the development of autoimmune diseases.
• Evaluate the potential therapeutic approaches targeting autoreactive T cells and their implications for autoimmune disease management.
  • Therapeutic approaches targeting autoreactive T cells include the use of monoclonal antibodies that deplete these harmful cells or therapies aimed at enhancing regulatory T cell function. These strategies aim to restore immune tolerance and reduce inflammation associated with autoimmune diseases. The successful application of such therapies can significantly improve patient outcomes by minimizing tissue damage and alleviating symptoms, highlighting their importance in effective autoimmune disease management.

Related terms

Autoimmunity:

A condition where the immune system erroneously attacks healthy cells in the body, leading to autoimmune diseases.

Regulatory T cells: A subset of T cells that help maintain immune tolerance by suppressing autoreactive T cells and preventing autoimmune responses.

Cytokines:

Signaling molecules released by immune cells that mediate and regulate immunity, inflammation, and hematopoiesis.