Burkhardt H, Kalden J R
Department of Internal Medicine III, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany.
Rheumatol Int. 1997;17(3):91-9. doi: 10.1007/s002960050015.
Failure of distinction between self and non-self is regarded a critical event in the pathogenesis of several human diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, uveoretinitis or diabetes mellitus. Autoagressive immune reactions driven by activated autoreactive lymphocytes are a characteristic feature of these autoimmune diseases. The mechanisms by which the pathogenic control of autoreactive lymphocytes deviates from physiology can be studied in appropriate animal models under well-defined experimental conditions. Experimental models of autoimmune diseases in rodent inbred strains allow for the genetic mapping of susceptibility loci and might help to identify candidate genes also relevant to the pathogenesis of human diseases. Finally, the experimental models are valuable tools to develop rational immunotherapeutic strategies. Interesting features of some of the models employed for such research will be introduced in this review.
自我与非自我区分的失败被认为是几种人类疾病发病机制中的关键事件，如系统性红斑狼疮、类风湿性关节炎、多发性硬化症、重症肌无力、葡萄膜视网膜炎或糖尿病。由活化的自身反应性淋巴细胞驱动的自身攻击性免疫反应是这些自身免疫性疾病的一个特征。在明确的实验条件下，可以在合适的动物模型中研究自身反应性淋巴细胞的致病控制偏离生理学的机制。啮齿动物近交系中的自身免疫性疾病实验模型有助于对易感基因座进行遗传定位，并可能有助于识别与人类疾病发病机制也相关的候选基因。最后，实验模型是制定合理免疫治疗策略的宝贵工具。本文将介绍用于此类研究的一些模型的有趣特征。
