So cross reactivity is a very broad term which refers to antibodies that can target more an epitope deriving from more than one antigen. Within the context of SARS-COV2, when someone gets infected with Wuhan they may show protection against alpha, beta, delta, etc because antibodies formed from Wuhan exposure can target these variants as well. Some antibodies can even target distant viruses. In autoimmunity cross-reactivity occurs when an antibody targets the antigen of a pathogen such as a virus, as well as a protein or complex that is part of our body. In this case, recognition of the pathogenic antigen may cause antibodies to also recognize ourselves, leading to autoimmune disease.
Epitope spreading is one argued mechanism for autoimmunity. It relies on cross reactive antibodies, but in this case it defines a process whereby long-term exposure to an antigen causes the immune system to recognize more than the main immunogenic parts of the antigen. For instance, the most immunogenic part of the spike protein is the receptor-binding domain, so the early adaptive immune response predominately targets the RBD. However, if the body is exposed for spike for too long, then the immune system will start to recognize other parts of the spike. It may even recognize complexes formed between ACEII receptors and bound spike as well. In this case, the body produces a more diverse array of antibodies, but in doing so it increases the risk that these other antibodies may be autoantibodies and target ourselves.
So in short, cross-reactivity is a very broad, typical phenomenon with antibodies whereas epitope spreading explains how different antibodies may be produced, which may increase the risk of autoimmune disease occurring. Hopefully that's more clear of an explanation.
Thank you, and yes, that explanation was very beneficial.
I’ve recently completed one immunology course and am currently taking a second one, so I guess I am at the point of “knows enough to be dangerous, but still knows nothing”. But, what a fascinating subject. And, I really enjoy your substack.
Good luck! It's a really interesting field, although I have struggled with immunology and much of biology if I were to be honest. The fact that things are named so similarly to one another always made it confusing. It's only now that I'm starting to get things. Writing certainly has helped me learn, so it's one of the reasons I enjoy doing this!
So good luck in the learning! It's always great when you can make sense of the world and with what is going on!
Epitope spreading and cross reactivity...similar, but different?
So cross reactivity is a very broad term which refers to antibodies that can target more an epitope deriving from more than one antigen. Within the context of SARS-COV2, when someone gets infected with Wuhan they may show protection against alpha, beta, delta, etc because antibodies formed from Wuhan exposure can target these variants as well. Some antibodies can even target distant viruses. In autoimmunity cross-reactivity occurs when an antibody targets the antigen of a pathogen such as a virus, as well as a protein or complex that is part of our body. In this case, recognition of the pathogenic antigen may cause antibodies to also recognize ourselves, leading to autoimmune disease.
Epitope spreading is one argued mechanism for autoimmunity. It relies on cross reactive antibodies, but in this case it defines a process whereby long-term exposure to an antigen causes the immune system to recognize more than the main immunogenic parts of the antigen. For instance, the most immunogenic part of the spike protein is the receptor-binding domain, so the early adaptive immune response predominately targets the RBD. However, if the body is exposed for spike for too long, then the immune system will start to recognize other parts of the spike. It may even recognize complexes formed between ACEII receptors and bound spike as well. In this case, the body produces a more diverse array of antibodies, but in doing so it increases the risk that these other antibodies may be autoantibodies and target ourselves.
So in short, cross-reactivity is a very broad, typical phenomenon with antibodies whereas epitope spreading explains how different antibodies may be produced, which may increase the risk of autoimmune disease occurring. Hopefully that's more clear of an explanation.
Thank you, and yes, that explanation was very beneficial.
I’ve recently completed one immunology course and am currently taking a second one, so I guess I am at the point of “knows enough to be dangerous, but still knows nothing”. But, what a fascinating subject. And, I really enjoy your substack.
Good luck! It's a really interesting field, although I have struggled with immunology and much of biology if I were to be honest. The fact that things are named so similarly to one another always made it confusing. It's only now that I'm starting to get things. Writing certainly has helped me learn, so it's one of the reasons I enjoy doing this!
So good luck in the learning! It's always great when you can make sense of the world and with what is going on!
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Misinformation- Disinformation - Malinformation
Smoke And Mirrors.
Occluding The One True Narrative:
- The Vaccinated Are Dysfunctional.
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2ND SMARTEST GUY IN THE WORLD SUBSTACK
NEW - EU Digital Commissioner is Threatening to Shut Down Social Media Platforms in the Event of Social Unrest
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https://archive.md/2023.07.13-134902/https://www.2ndsmartestguyintheworld.com/p/new-eu-digital-commissioner-is-threatening