epitope spreading

https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.13121
Increase in the number of epitopes targeted by autoantibodies and/or T cells. The epitopes may be on the same autoantigen (intramolecular epitope spreading) and/or on other autoantigens (intermolecular epitope spreading).
Note: This is a characteristic sign of progression of autoimmune disease from initial activation to a chronic state.
Source:
PAC, 2012, 84, 1113. (IUPAC glossary of terms used in immunotoxicology (IUPAC Recommendations 2012)) on page 1162 [Terms] [Paper]
Citation: 'epitope spreading' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.13121 RIS BibTex EndNote
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