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Mechanisms of autoimmunity.

¹Department of Pathology and W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. nrrose@jhsph.edu

Seminars in Liver Disease

|November 26, 2002

Summary

The immune system has self-reactive cells, but protective mechanisms prevent autoimmunity. Autoimmune diseases occur when these fail, despite being rare individually, they are common collectively.

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Area of Science:

Immunology
Autoimmunity

Background:

The immune system generates diverse lymphocyte receptors capable of recognizing self-antigens.
Self-reactive B and T cells are normally present but are controlled by regulatory mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

To explain the mechanisms that prevent the immune system from attacking the body's own tissues.
To discuss the prevalence and shared mechanisms of autoimmune diseases.

Main Methods:

Review of established immunological tolerance mechanisms.
Analysis of the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases.

Main Results:

Key tolerance mechanisms include negative selection in lymphoid organs and peripheral regulation (anergy, ignorance, suppression).
Despite these safeguards, autoimmune diseases develop, presenting diverse pathologies but common underlying mechanisms.

Conclusions:

The immune system balances self-recognition with self-tolerance through multiple safeguards.
Dysregulation of these mechanisms leads to autoimmune diseases, which are significant health concerns.

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