In this particular case, the streptococcal infection produces antibodies that not only bind to that pathogen but also to the cells of our heart. So we have gene mutations as well as pathogenic infections that can lead to autoimmunity. Now, what about the third factor? What exactly is an immunologically privileged site? Well, there are certain locations in our body that do not have any lymph vessels or do not have any blood vessels. And what that means is why blood cells have no way of actually getting to these locations.