Can infections protect against autoimmunity?

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Epidemiology
• Microbiology

Background:

• Autoimmune diseases have increased in developed nations.
• Both genetic and environmental factors influence autoimmune disease development.
• The human immune system has coevolved with infectious agents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review evidence linking decreased infection exposure to increased autoimmune disease incidence.
• To explore the hypothesis that certain infections may inhibit autoimmunity.
• To discuss potential therapeutic strategies based on infectious agents.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing studies and animal models.
• Analysis of epidemiological data on autoimmune disease trends.
• Examination of the proposed mechanisms of infection-induced immune modulation.

Main Results:

• Animal models show infectious agents can inhibit autoimmunity.
• Microbial products show potential for alleviating human autoimmune/allergic diseases.
• Some data support the use of microbial products for therapeutic benefit.

Conclusions:

• Changes in exposure to infectious agents over the last 70 years are significant.
• Historically important infections might inhibit autoimmune disorder development.
• Understanding these mechanisms could lead to novel therapeutic approaches for autoimmune conditions.