Autoreactive T-cell

Autoreactive T-cells, often referred to as autoaggressive T-cells, are a subset of the immune system's T-lymphocytes that mistakenly identify and attack the body's own healthy tissues (PubMed: 30104663). Under normal conditions, these cells are eliminated or suppressed through central and peripheral tolerance mechanisms; however, their escape and activation lead to the pathogenesis of various autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes (StatPearls: NBK459471). These cells are characterized by their expression of specific T-cell receptors (TCRs) that recognize self-antigens presented by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. Therapeutic strategies aimed at these cells include broad immunosuppression, targeted depletion using monoclonal antibodies, or more modern approaches like CAR-T cell therapy designed to specifically eliminate the pathogenic clones while sparing the rest of the immune system (Nature Reviews Drug Discovery: nrd.2017.134). Monitoring these cells often involves tracking specific surface markers, cytokine production profiles, or TCR repertoire diversity (Nature Medicine: 2022).

Other names

Autoaggressive T-cellAutoreactive T-lymphocyteSelf-reactive T-cellPathogenic T-cell

Therapeutic strategies involve the depletion of T-cells, inhibition of costimulatory signals required for activation, or sequestration of cells within lymphoid organs to prevent tissue infiltration (StatPearls: NBK459471; FDA: Teplizumab Label).