Pathogens, toxins, and autoantigens

Pathogens, toxins, and autoantigens represent a broad pharmacological category rather than a single molecular target. This classification, utilized by resources such as the IUPHAR/BPS Guide to Pharmacology, encompasses non-host biological entities (bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites), biochemical poisons (venoms and microbial toxins), and endogenous host molecules that become the target of an aberrant immune response (autoantigens) [1]. Pathogens are typically targeted by anti-infective agents that exploit differences between host and pathogen biology, such as bacterial cell wall synthesis or viral reverse transcription [2]. Toxins are addressed through neutralizing agents like antitoxins or chelators that prevent the substance from interacting with host receptors [1]. Autoantigens are the focus of therapies for autoimmune diseases, where the goal is to deplete the B-cells producing autoantibodies or to interfere with the antigen-presentation process [3]. Because this entry describes a high-level grouping of diverse biological and chemical threats, it is considered a category of targets rather than a specific protein or receptor [1].

Other names

Exogenous targetsNon-host targetsForeign antigensEnvironmental toxinsSelf-antigens

Therapeutic intervention involves the neutralization of toxins, inhibition of pathogen replication (e.g., cell wall synthesis or viral protease inhibition), or the modulation/suppression of the immune response against self-derived autoantigens.