Molecular mimicry

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-007507",
  "term": "Molecular mimicry",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "A mechanism in which an epitope of a pathogen resembles one of the host's own molecules closely enough that antibodies or T cells raised against the microbe also react with self tissue, and so may initiate autoimmune disease. Rheumatic fever is the classic example, where antibodies to group A streptococcal M protein cross-react with cardiac myosin.",
  "subject": "Chemistry and Human Health",
  "see_also": [
    "autoimmune disease",
    "autoantigen"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 2012, 84, 1113. 'IUPAC glossary of terms used in immunotoxicology (IUPAC Recommendations 2012)' on page 1214 (https://doi.org/10.1351/PAC-REC-11-06-03)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/molecular-mimicry/"
}