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Questions and Answers
What is a characteristic of autoimmune diseases?
Which type of autoimmune disease affects the pancreas?
What is a potential trigger for autoimmune diseases?
What is the role of autoreactive T cells in autoimmune diseases?
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What is a common feature of autoimmune diseases?
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What is a potential treatment for autoimmune diseases?
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What is the result of cytokine imbalance in autoimmune diseases?
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How are autoimmune diseases typically diagnosed?
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Study Notes
Autoimmune Diseases
Definition
- Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system fails to distinguish between self and non-self, leading to an immune response against the body's own cells, tissues, and organs.
Characteristics
- Chronic inflammation
- Tissue damage
- Loss of organ function
- Genetic predisposition
Types of Autoimmune Diseases
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Organ-specific:
- Type 1 diabetes (pancreas)
- Hashimoto's thyroiditis (thyroid gland)
- Graves' disease (thyroid gland)
- Pernicious anemia (stomach)
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Non-organ specific:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (joints)
- Lupus (multiple organs)
- Sjögren's syndrome (exocrine glands)
- Multiple sclerosis (central nervous system)
Causes and Triggers
- Genetic factors: genetic predisposition, gene-environment interactions
- Environmental factors: infections, toxins, stress, hormonal imbalances
- Immunological factors: immune system dysregulation, T cell or B cell abnormalities
Pathogenesis
- Activation of autoreactive T cells: T cells that recognize self-antigens
- Production of autoantibodies: B cells produce antibodies against self-antigens
- Cytokine imbalance: pro-inflammatory cytokines dominate anti-inflammatory cytokines
- Inflammation and tissue damage: immune response leads to tissue damage and organ dysfunction
Diagnosis and Treatment
- Diagnosis: combination of clinical features, laboratory tests, and imaging studies
-
Treatment: depends on the specific disease, may include:
- Immunosuppressive drugs
- Corticosteroids
- Biological therapies (e.g., anti-TNF agents)
- Plasmapheresis
- Organ transplantation
Autoimmune Diseases
Definition
- Occur when the immune system fails to distinguish between self and non-self, leading to an immune response against the body's own cells, tissues, and organs.
Characteristics
- Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of autoimmune diseases.
- Tissue damage and loss of organ function are common consequences.
- Genetic predisposition plays a significant role in autoimmune diseases.
Types of Autoimmune Diseases
Organ-Specific Diseases
- Type 1 diabetes targets the pancreas.
- Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves' disease affect the thyroid gland.
- Pernicious anemia affects the stomach.
Non-Organ Specific Diseases
- Rheumatoid arthritis affects the joints.
- Lupus can affect multiple organs.
- Sjögren's syndrome targets exocrine glands.
- Multiple sclerosis affects the central nervous system.
Causes and Triggers
- Genetic factors contribute to autoimmune diseases through genetic predisposition and gene-environment interactions.
- Environmental factors, such as infections, toxins, stress, and hormonal imbalances, can trigger autoimmune diseases.
- Immunological factors, including immune system dysregulation and T cell or B cell abnormalities, can lead to autoimmune diseases.
Pathogenesis
- Autoreactive T cells are activated, recognizing self-antigens as foreign.
- B cells produce autoantibodies against self-antigens.
- Cytokine imbalance leads to a pro-inflammatory response, causing tissue damage.
- Inflammation and tissue damage ultimately result in organ dysfunction.
Diagnosis and Treatment
- Diagnosis involves a combination of clinical features, laboratory tests, and imaging studies.
- Treatment options vary depending on the specific disease, but may include:
- Immunosuppressive drugs to reduce the immune response.
- Corticosteroids to reduce inflammation.
- Biological therapies, such as anti-TNF agents, to target specific inflammatory pathways.
- Plasmapheresis to remove autoantibodies from the blood.
- Organ transplantation in severe cases.
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Description
Learn about the characteristics and types of autoimmune diseases, including organ-specific and systemic diseases that occur when the immune system attacks the body's own cells and tissues.
