Autoimmune Disease Flashcards
Define self-tolerance.
The ability of the immune system to accept self-antigens and not initiate a response against them.
Define autoimmune diseases.
Disorders in which immune responses are targeted toward self-antigens and result in damage to organs and tissues in the body.
What are the two types of autoimmune diseases?
Systemic or organ specific.
What is the primary cause of autoimmune diseases?
Due to the loss of self-tolerance.
Define central tolerance.
The main way our immune system learns to discriminate self vs. non-self.
Define peripheral tolerance.
Key to preventing overreactivity of the immune system to various environmental entities.
What factors affect autoimmune diseases?
Female hormones, tissue trauma, microbial infections, epigenetics, genetics.
What are the two primary types of systemic autoimmune diseases?
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE); Rheumatoid Arthritis.
