Open AccessAutoimmune Diseases: An Introduction
Author(s) -
Shubha Ratna Shakya
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
nepalese journal of zoology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2705-4411
pISSN - 2705-4403
DOI - 10.3126/njz.v3i1.30867
Subject(s) - autoimmunity , immunology , autoantibody , autoimmune disease , genetic predisposition , immune system , disease , antibody , medicine , biology , pathology
The immune system recognizes and eliminates foreign agents, and protects the host against infection. Autoimmunity is a natural phenomenon where self-reactive antibodies and autoimmune cells are present in all individuals. A combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases. Autoantibodies attack structures within individuals that produce them. Autoimmunity is a major cause for a number of serious and fatal diseases. Presence of one autoimmune disease increases the chance for simultaneously developing other autoimmune diseases in the same person.