Autoimmune diseases: beyond clinical and/or immune parameters to pathogenic process

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Pathophysiology
• Clinical Medicine

Background:

• Critically examines the evolution of autoimmune disease (AD) concepts.
• Highlights the inadequacy of existing terminology in defining clinical phenomena.
• Identifies a need for updated conceptual frameworks in AD research.

Discussion:

• Questions long-held, unquestioned terms within autoimmune disease research.
• Emphasizes the limitations of current definitions for accurate clinical description.
• Proposes a critical review of established nomenclature in immunology.

Key Insights:

• Existing terminology for autoimmune diseases is insufficient for precise clinical definition.
• A re-evaluation of core concepts is necessary for scientific progress.
• Recent research findings offer potential for improved understanding.

Outlook:

• Future research should focus on developing more accurate and descriptive terminology.
• Integrating novel research results can refine our understanding of autoimmune diseases.
• A paradigm shift in conceptualizing autoimmune diseases is anticipated.