Is secondary necrosis a source of proteolytically modified forms of specific intracellular autoantigens : implications for systemic autoimmunity?
In the absence of phagocytosis, apoptotic cells may undergo secondary necrosis, a process associated with additional proteolytic degradation of specific autoantigens. Secondary necrosis may occur in vivo in autoimmune disorders associated with impaired clearance of apoptotic cells and serve as a source of modified forms of specific autoantigens that might stimulate autoantibody responses under proinflammatory conditions.
These results indicate that therapies aimed at promoting lymphatic function, e.g., with prolymphangiogenic factors, such as VEGF-C, might provide a novel strategy for the treatment of inflammatory conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease.