Viruses and autoimmunity

Viruses have been suspected as causes and contributors of human autoimmune diseases (AID), although direct evidence for the association is lacking. However, several animal models provide strong evidence that viruses can induce AIDs as well as act to accelerate and exacerbate lesions in situations where self-tolerance is broken. Many models support the hypothesis by acting as molecular mimics that stimulate self-reactive lymphocytes. Mimicry alone is usually inadequate and with human AID, no compelling evidence supports a role for viruses that are acting as molecular mimics. Alternative mechanisms by which viruses participate in autoimmunity are non-specific, involving a mechanistically poorly understood process termed bystander activation or perhaps viral interference with regulatory cell control systems. This review briefly discusses examples where viruses are involved, taking the viewpoint that molecular mimicry is over emphasized as a critical mechanism during AID pathogenesis.