HIV and Molecular Mimicry

For more than three decades, molecular mimicry has been considered a contributing factor in viral pathogenesis. The phenomenon comes about when viral antigens share epitopes with host cell proteins. Because tolerance is thought never to be complete, the mimicking microbe can induce anti-self antibodies, a state of autoimmunity, with resulting immunopathogenesis. This mode of attack seems preeminently possible with immunosuppressive viruses such as HSV-1 and HIV; it is also thought likely when cross-species-induced pathogenesis is involved. For some general discussions of molecular mimicry and autoimmunity brought about by viruses, see [1,2].