Multiple autoantigens

Multiple autoantigens is a collective term referring to the diverse array of self-derived molecules—including proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids—that are mistakenly targeted by the immune system in autoimmune disorders (StatPearls, 2023). This term does not describe a single, discrete molecular target but rather a group of entities that vary significantly depending on the specific disease context, such as myelin proteins in multiple sclerosis or insulin in type 1 diabetes (Nature Reviews Immunology, 2020). In these pathological states, the breakdown of self-tolerance leads to the generation of autoreactive T cells and B cells that cause tissue destruction (NIH, 2022). Clinically, the identification of specific autoantigens is crucial for the diagnosis and classification of various autoimmune conditions through the detection of corresponding autoantibodies (PubMed, 2022). While traditional therapies focus on broad immunosuppression to mitigate the damage caused by these responses, modern research aims to develop antigen-specific therapies that can selectively silence the immune response to these autoantigens (PubMed, 2021). Because the term lacks molecular specificity and represents a category rather than a single protein or receptor, it is not considered a valid individual therapeutic target in a drug discovery context.

Other names

Self-antigensAutoantigenic proteinsEndogenous antigensAutoantigenic targets

Therapeutic strategies involve broad immunosuppression, B-cell or T-cell depletion, or the induction of antigen-specific tolerance to prevent the immune system from attacking self-tissues.