Selfantigensalongside
Selfantigensalongside is a term used in immunology to describe the presentation of self-antigens on the surface of cells in conjunction with other molecules, typically MHC class I or MHC class II molecules. This co-presentation is a crucial mechanism for immune system tolerance and regulation. Normally, T cells are educated in the thymus to recognize and tolerate self-antigens. However, under certain pathological conditions, the presentation of self-antigens alongside specific molecular signals can lead to immune responses against the body's own tissues, resulting in autoimmune diseases.
The precise molecular context in which a self-antigen is displayed can dictate the immune system's response.