<prompt> Epitope spreading refers toA type of mechanism of spread of malignant tumorOne type of mechanism of HIV disseminationA mechanism for the persistence and evolution of autoimmune diseaseOne of the mechanism of apoptosis  <response>: Ref Robbins 9e 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 