While a variety of factors act to trigger or initiate autoimmune diseases, the process of
epitope spreading is an important contributor in their development. Epitope spreading is a
diversification of the epitopes recognized by the immune system. This process happens to
both T and B cells, with this review focusing on B cells. Such spreading can progress among
multiple epitopes on a single antigen, or from one antigenic molecule to another. Systemic
lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, pemphigus, bullous pemphigoid and other …