Autoimmune Diseases Flashcards
1
Q
What is an autoimmune disease?
A
abnormal immune response when the immune system attacks normal body tissue with self antigens
2
Q
What are examples of autoimmune diseases?
A
arthritis and lupus
3
Q
What is arthritis?
A
immune system attacks the lining of the joints
symptoms of this are inflammation and pain
4
Q
What is lupus?
A
nuclear proteins (histones) are exposed to the immune system
the immune system makes antibodies against the nuclear proteins
proteins clump together (agglutination)
agglutinated proteins stick to walls of blood vessels which cause fatigue, joint pain and skin rashes
