Introduction to Immunology and Autoimmunity

摘要

Autoimmune disease occurs when the immune system attacks self-molecules as a result of a breakdown of immunologic tolerance to autoreactive immune cells. Many autoimmune disorders have been strongly associated with genetic, infectious, and/or environmental predisposing factors. Comprising multiple disorders and symptoms ranging from organ-specific to systemic, autoimmune Diseases include insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus Erythematosus, scleroderma, thyroiditis, and multiple sclerosis.