This is a real-world medical entrance exam question, please give the true answer based on the question and selection. Topic name: General anatomy, Subject name: Anatomy
Epitope spreading refers to 
Select and explain. 
A. A type of mechanism of spread of malignant tumor, B. One type of mechanism of HIV dissemination, C. A mechanism for the persistence and evolution of autoimmune disease, D. One of the mechanism of apoptosis
C: A mechanism for the persistence and evolution of autoimmune disease
Answer: C: A mechanism for the persistence and evolution of autoimmune disease 
Explanation: Ref Robbins 9/e p217 It is a phenomenon in which an immune response against one self antigens causes tissues damage releasing other antigens .and resulting in the activation of lymphocytes by these newly encountered epitope