Question: To what extent can autoimmunity be described as the breakdown of self tolerance and how far have animal models contributed to our understanding of human autoimmune disease?
Answer: Autoimmunity is the propagation of adaptive immunity specific for self antigens. The obligation of preventing such an occurrence was recognised by Ehrlich who described the possibility of ‘Horror autotoxicus’. In his ‘clonal selection’ theory, Burnet proposed that tolerance to self antigens is achieved by clonal deletion or inactivation of developing lymphocytes in the thymus or the periphery....(short extract)
To download the full answer, please Sign in or Register then make a payment or submit 3 of your essays.
- Subject: Medicine
- Course: Medicine
- Level: Degree
- Year: 2nd/3rd
- Mark: 71%
- Words: 2079
- Date submitted: September 01, 2008
- Date written: Not available
- References: Yes
- Document type: Essay*
- Essay ID: 2435
