What do you mean by autoimmunity?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for the meaning or definition of autoimmunity, which is a concept in immunology related to the immune system mistakenly attacking the body's own cells.
Answer
Autoimmunity occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues.
Autoimmunity is a condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues, perceiving them as foreign. This can lead to autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes.
Answer for screen readers
Autoimmunity is a condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues, perceiving them as foreign. This can lead to autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes.
More Information
Autoimmunity involves immune responses against normal components of the body; it can lead to various diseases, depending on which tissues or organs are targeted.
Tips
A common misunderstanding is thinking autoimmunity is an external infection, but it actually results from the body's own immune system attacking itself.
Sources
- Definition of Autoimmunity & Autoimmune Disease - pathology.jhu.edu
- What is Autoimmunity? - News-Medical - news-medical.net
- Autoimmune Diseases: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments - WebMD - webmd.com