In Praise of Descriptive Science: A Breath of Fresh AIRE

Cell. 2016 Jul 28;166(3):530-531. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2016.07.018.

Abstract

Meyer et al. find that subjects lacking the AIRE gene, critical for self-tolerance in T lymphocytes, show a broad range of autoantibody specificities, which can have extremely high affinities. The data also suggest that some of these autoantibodies can, surprisingly, prevent some types of autoimmunity, particularly type I diabetes.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Autoantibodies / immunology
  • Autoimmunity / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immune Tolerance
  • Self Tolerance / genetics*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Thymus Gland
  • Transcription Factors / genetics

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Transcription Factors