Posttranslational protein modifications: new flavors in the menu of autoantigens

Curr Opin Rheumatol. 2002 May;14(3):244-9. doi: 10.1097/00002281-200205000-00009.

Abstract

Perhaps one of the most elusive areas of study in autoimmunity has been identifying the self-antigens that initially trigger the development of autoimmune responses. Recent work in this area has demonstrated that a number of biochemical modifications that arise in proteins after their translation induce autoimmune responses to otherwise ignored self-proteins. This article will describe those autoimmune diseases in which posttranslational modifications may play a role in initiation of disease, as well as identify how these modifications arise and contribute to the breakdown of immune tolerance. Lastly, we will address how posttranslational modifications in self-antigens affect current diagnostic techniques and the development of immunotherapies for autoimmune diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acids / genetics
  • Autoantigens / genetics*
  • Autoimmune Diseases / diagnosis
  • Autoimmune Diseases / therapy
  • Humans
  • Immune Tolerance
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational*
  • Proteins / genetics

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Autoantigens
  • Proteins