Abstract
The immune system specifically recognizes and eliminates foreign antigens thereby protecting the host against infection. During maturation of the immune system lymphocytes specific for the universe of possible antigens arise, but tolerance mechanisms minimize harmful responses against self-tissues. However, the inappropriate activation of surviving self-reactive T or B lymphocytes can result in systemic or organ-localized autoimmune damage.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Immunotoxicology and Immunopharmacology, Third Edition |
| Publisher | CRC Press |
| Pages | 423-436 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9781420005448 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9780849337901 |
| State | Published - Jan 1 2006 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Medicine
- General Immunology and Microbiology