Epitope spreading

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-004045",
  "term": "Epitope spreading",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "A phenomenon in which the immune response initially directed against a specific epitope on an antigen diversifies over time to include recognition of additional epitopes on the same or different antigens. This process is often observed in chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. It can lead to the development of autoantibodies against multiple self-antigens.",
  "subject": "Chemistry and Human Health",
  "see_also": [
    "T lymphocyte",
    "autoantibody",
    "autoantigen",
    "autoimmune disease"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 2012, 84, 1113. 'IUPAC glossary of terms used in immunotoxicology (IUPAC Recommendations 2012)' on page 1162 (https://doi.org/10.1351/PAC-REC-11-06-03)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/epitope-spreading/"
}