Prothymosin Alpha: A Novel Contributor to Estradiol Receptor Alpha–Mediated CD8 ⁺ T-Cell Pathogenic Responses and Recognition of Type 1 Collagen in Rheumatic Heart Valve Disease

Abstract

ProTα-dependent CD8⁺ T-cell cytotoxicity was associated with estrogen receptor alpha activity, implicating ProTα as a potential regulator of sex predisposition in RHVD. ProTα facilitated recognition of type 1 collagen mimic epitopes by CD8⁺ T cells, suggesting mechanisms provoking autoimmunity.