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Related Experiment Videos

A modular theory of autoimmunity.

Junichiro Irie1, William M Ridgway

  • 1Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, PA 15261, USA.

The Keio Journal of Medicine
|October 21, 2005
PubMed
Summary

A modular theory of autoimmunity proposes distinct, genetically controlled phenotypes (modules) interact to form disease. This framework offers a new perspective on understanding complex autoimmune conditions like type one diabetes.

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Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Genetics
  • Pathogenesis

Background:

  • Traditional disease pathogenesis views diseases as unified entities.
  • This natural history concept frames all symptoms as part of a single disease process.
  • Genetic dissection of autoimmune diseases suggests limitations of this unified view.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To propose an alternative conceptual framework for understanding autoimmune diseases.
  • Introduce the "modular" theory of autoimmunity.
  • Illustrate the modular theory using a relevant animal model.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of genetic control of autoimmune diseases and phenotypes.
  • Conceptual development of the modular theory of autoimmunity.
  • Application of the modular theory to the nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse model.

Main Results:

  • Autoimmune processes can be better understood as interactions of distinct "modules".
  • Modules are defined as separate, genetically controlled clinical or pathological phenotypes.
  • These modules can interact additively, synergistically, or antagonistically.

Conclusions:

  • The modular theory provides a more useful framework for many autoimmune processes.
  • Multiple interacting modules can result in unique disease phenotypes.
  • This model is exemplified by type one diabetes in the NOD mouse.

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