In the topic of antigens, are all antigens autoantigens and only some antigens alloantigens?
A. Most antigens are neither autoantigens or alloantigens. The terms autoantigen and alloantigen are reserved for molecules in people that can act as antigens under special circumstances. If a person has an autoimmune disease, their immune system is recognizing and attacking some part of their own body. The part of the body or cell that is triggering this response is the autoantigen. An alloantigen is a part from a different person’s body against which one’s immune system responds. Examples would include transplanted organs or transfused blood.
