AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE & Its TYPES

 

AUTO-IMMUNE  DISEASE

Autoimmunity

·     Failure of body’s defense system in recognizing own constituents and generate immune response against own cells and tissues

·     Disease from such aberrant immune response called Autoimmune Disease.

Causes of Autoimmune Disease

1.    Sequestered/Hidden Antigens

Ag in secluded places –not accessible to the immune system

Eg. Lens Ag

      Sperm Ag

      Thyroglobulin Ag

2.Neo-Antigen

Altered/modified Antigens  :By Physical (irradiation), Chemical (drugs) or microbial agent (intracellular viruses)

3.Cessation of Tolerance

 It may result when tolerance to self antigen is abrogated

Induced Autoimmunity;1973

Immunized with Ach from electric eels

 They soon developed muscle weakness like in myasthenia gravis 

This EAMG resulted when antibodies bind to Ach receptor blocked muscle stimulation by Ach in synapse

Types of Autoimmune Disease

 There are 2 types

1.Organ specific:

 Ab and invasive destructive lesions directed against one organ

 Target organ: Thyroids, Adrenals, Stomach, pancreas

Eg Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, Thyro-toxicosis, Myasthenia gravis

 2.Non Organ specific/Systematic

Antibody and lesions are directed to Antigen which are widespread throughout body

Eg Rheumatological disorder involves skin, kidney, joint & muscles

Another grouping involves immune component that does the bulk of damage

 

Some Examples of Autoimmune Disease

1)  Rheumatoid Arthritis

2)  Pernicious Anemia

3)  Myasthenia Gravis

4)  Hashimoto’s Disease

5)  Graves Disease

6)  Addison’s Disease

7)  Multiple Sclerosis

8)  Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

 

Treatment

No cure for Autoimmune Disease but symptoms can be managed by

·     Painkillers

·     Anti-inflammatories

·     Medication for depression of anxiety

·     Insulin injection

·     Sleeping medication

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