Various human self-antigens

Various human self-antigens refer to a broad and heterogeneous group of endogenous proteins and molecules that are mistakenly targeted by the immune system in autoimmune disorders. Under normal physiological conditions, the immune system maintains 'self-tolerance' through central and peripheral mechanisms, ensuring that these proteins do not elicit an inflammatory response (Source: NIH/NIAID). However, in diseases such as multiple sclerosis (targeting myelin proteins) or type 1 diabetes (targeting insulin and GAD65), this tolerance breaks down, leading to tissue destruction. In the context of modern drug development, these self-antigens are utilized as therapeutic targets for antigen-specific immunotherapies. Unlike broad immunosuppressants, these therapies aim to re-educate the immune system by delivering specific self-antigens in a tolerogenic format—such as via nanoparticles, liver-targeted glycoconjugates, or engineered cell therapies (Source: PubMed, PMID: 31213547). The goal is to selectively silence the pathogenic immune response against those specific antigens while leaving the rest of the immune system intact to fight infections and cancer (Source: Nature Reviews Immunology, 2023).

Other names

AutoantigensSelf-proteinsEndogenous antigensTissue-specific antigensSelf-epitopes

Induction of antigen-specific immune tolerance through the deletion or anergy of autoreactive T-cells, the induction of regulatory T-cells (Tregs), or the reprogramming of B-cell responses to prevent the attack on endogenous tissues (Source: Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, 2020).