Autoimmune: Pertaining to autoimmunity, a misdirected immune response that occurs when the immune system goes awry and attacks the body itself.
Autoimmunity is present to some extent in everyone and is usually harmless. However, autoimmunity can cause a broad range of human illnesses, known collectively as autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune diseases occur when there is progression from benign autoimmunity to pathogenic autoimmunity. This progression is determined by genetic influences as well as environmental triggers.
Autoimmunity is evidenced by the presence of autoantibodies (antibodies directed against the person who produced them) and T cells that are reactive with host antigens.
American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, AARDA, dedicated to eradicating autoimmune diseases through patient education, autoimmune disease research, puplic ...
An autoimmune disorder is a condition that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy body tissue. There are more than 80 ...
Overview of autoimmune disorders, including a list of examples and links to useful web resources
Autoimmune diseases fact sheet . What are autoimmune diseases? How common are autoimmune diseases? Who gets autoimmune diseases? What autoimmune diseases affect women, and ...
Your body's immune system protects you from disease and infection. But if you have an autoimmune disease, your immune system attacks healthy cells in your body by ...