Pathophysiological mechanisms of autoimmunity

Abstract

Autoimmune diseases (AIDs) are chronic disorders characterized by inflammatory reactions against self-antigens that can be either systemic or organ specific. AIDs can differ in their epidemiologic features and clinical presentations, yet all share a remarkable complexity. AIDs result from an interplay of genetic and epigenetic factors with environmental components that are associated with imbalances in the immune system. Many of the pathogenic mechanisms of AIDs are also implicated in myasthenia gravis (MG), an AID in which inflammation of the thymus leads to a neuromuscular disorder. Our goal here is to highlight the similarities and differences between MG and other AIDs by reviewing the common transcriptome signatures and the development of germinal centers and by discussing some unresolved questions about autoimmune mechanisms. This review will propose hypotheses to explain the origin of regulatory T (T ) cell defects and the causes of chronicity and specificity of AIDs.

Recent Advances on the Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Properties of Red Grape Polyphenols: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

“…Autoimmune diseases share a common pathogenic mechanism of action such as the immune attack against self-components of the body [226][227][228][229][230]. Then, several factors contribute to autoimmune disease development and, among them, genetic, epigenetic, and environmental conditions should be stressed out.…”

Recent Advances on the Anti-inflammatory and Anti-oxidant properties of Red Grape Polyphenols: In Vitro and in Vivo Studies

“…Autoimmune diseases encompass many pathological events sharing a common mechanism of action such as the immune attack against self components of the body [221][222][223][224][225]. Then, several factors contribute to autoimmune disease pathogenesis and, among them, genetic, epigenetic and environmental conditions should be stressed out.…”

Trojans in Oral Environments: Evidence of Molecular Mimicry in Oral Immunity

“…Autoimmunity is defined as a condition of loss of immune tolerance to self-antigens causing an autoreactive immune T and B cells that attack own organs provoking an aseptic inflammation and comprised more than 80 chronic diseases characterized by inflammatory reactions that can either be systemic or organ specific [30] and no cure exist for the majority autoimmune diseases and the treatment is based by control disease symptoms [31].…”

“…The early event in autoimmunity is the presentation of self-antigen derived peptides in complex with MHC class II to self-reactive T cells in an inflammatory environment where antigenpresenting cell, dendritic cell mainly, is activated and drives co-stimulation and development of pathogenic autoreactive T cell and autoantibodies, playing a critical role in breaking tolerance to self during an autoimmune disease, leading tissue and organ damage [31,32], produced by susceptible and aberrant genes, environment exposure, and failed immune regulation [30].…”