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Autoimmune Reaction – Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

An autoimmune reaction occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body´s own tissues. It is the underlying mechanism of many autoimmune diseases.

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Things worth knowing about "Autoimmune Reaction"

An autoimmune reaction occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body´s own tissues. It is the underlying mechanism of many autoimmune diseases.

What Is an Autoimmune Reaction?

An autoimmune reaction is a malfunction of the immune system in which the body mistakenly identifies its own healthy cells, tissues, or organs as foreign threats and launches an immune attack against them. Under normal circumstances, the immune system distinguishes precisely between the body´s own structures (self) and foreign invaders (non-self). In an autoimmune reaction, this self-tolerance breaks down.

Causes

The exact causes of autoimmune reactions are complex and not yet fully understood. Key contributing factors include:

Genetic predisposition: Certain gene variants increase susceptibility to autoimmune responses.
Infections: Some viruses and bacteria can trigger immune responses that cross-react with the body´s own tissues, a process known as molecular mimicry.
Hormonal influences: Women are more frequently affected, suggesting a role for sex hormones.
Environmental factors: UV radiation, chemical exposures, or chronic stress can act as triggers.
Immune dysregulation: Errors in the maturation and selection of immune cells (T and B lymphocytes) allow self-reactive cells to escape elimination.

Mechanism

In a healthy immune system, T lymphocytes that recognize the body´s own structures are eliminated in the thymus through a process called clonal deletion. In autoimmune reactions, some self-reactive immune cells escape this checkpoint. They subsequently activate other immune cells and produce autoantibodies -- antibodies directed against the body´s own tissue. These processes lead to chronic inflammation and progressive tissue damage.

Affected Organs and Associated Diseases

Autoimmune reactions can affect virtually any organ. The resulting disease depends on which structures are targeted:

Joints: Rheumatoid arthritis
Thyroid gland: Hashimoto thyroiditis, Graves disease
Pancreas: Type 1 diabetes mellitus
Central nervous system: Multiple sclerosis
Skin: Psoriasis, systemic lupus erythematosus
Intestines: Crohn disease, ulcerative colitis

Symptoms

Symptoms of autoimmune reactions vary widely depending on the organ involved. Common general symptoms include:

Chronic fatigue and exhaustion
Persistent signs of inflammation such as swelling, redness, and pain
Fever without an identifiable infectious cause
Unintentional weight loss
Organ-specific complaints (e.g., joint pain, skin rashes, digestive problems)

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of an autoimmune reaction typically involves a combination of:

Blood tests: Detection of autoantibodies (e.g., ANA, anti-dsDNA, rheumatoid factor) and inflammatory markers (CRP, ESR)
Imaging procedures: Ultrasound or MRI to assess organ damage
Biopsies: Tissue samples for histological examination
Clinical assessment: Evaluation of symptoms and the patient's medical history

Treatment

A definitive cure for autoimmune diseases is currently not available in most cases. Treatment focuses on suppressing the overactive immune response and relieving symptoms:

Immunosuppressants: Drugs such as corticosteroids, methotrexate, or azathioprine reduce immune activity.
Biologics: Targeted antibody therapies (e.g., TNF-alpha inhibitors) intervene in specific inflammatory pathways.
Symptomatic therapy: Pain management, physiotherapy, and dietary adjustments.
Lifestyle measures: Stress reduction, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep can positively influence the course of the disease.

References

Janeway's Immunobiology, 9th Edition – Murphy K, Weaver C. Garland Science, 2016.
World Health Organization (WHO) – Autoimmune diseases: Overview and burden of disease, 2023. Available at: www.who.int
Rose NR, Mackay IR (Eds.) – The Autoimmune Diseases, 5th Edition. Academic Press, 2014.

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