Open AccessRetroviruses and autoimmune rheumatic diseases
Author(s) -
KALDEN J. R.,
GAY S.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
clinical & experimental immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.329
H-Index - 135
eISSN - 1365-2249
pISSN - 0009-9104
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2249.1994.tb06597.x
Subject(s) - immunology , autoimmune disease , pathogenesis , autoimmunity , medicine , rheumatic disease , disease , rheumatoid arthritis , immunopathology , rheumatic fever , virology , immune system , antibody , pathology
SUMMARY In autoimmune rheumatic diseases, retroviruses have been repeatedly discussed as important etiologic factors. However, despite a considerable amount of indirect evidence that retroviruses might indeed be involved in triggering or perpetuating autoimmune rheumatic diseases, clear cut direct evidence is still missing. Studies on arthropathies associated with HIV‐1 or HTLV‐1 infection as well as new experimental animal models like the Tax transgene mice and new data from the MLR lpr mouse model might help to answer the questions how and by what mechanisms retroviral infection may lead to autoimmune rheumatic diseases. From data obtained in the MLR/ lpr mouse it seems obvious that a potential link of retroviruses, apoptosis and autogenes to autoimmune diseases opens exciting new approaches to the study of rheumatic disease pathogenesis.