COVID‐19 vaccine triggers autoimmune disease? Possible mechanism and current evidence

Abstract

Vaccines are designed to stimulate the immune system by introducing components of a pathogen or a weakened version of it. This prompts the body to generate antibodies and immune memory, resulting in a faster response if the same pathogen is encountered again, thereby preventing the development of the disease. COVID-19 vaccines function by introducing a segment of the virus's protein (often a protein located on the virus's surface, such as the spike protein) or the virus's genetic material (like mRNA) to activate the immune system. However, certain research studies have indicated a potential correlation between COVID-19 vaccination and an increased risk of autoimmune diseases or adverse reactions related to autoimmunity, 1 like autoimmune glomerulitis, 2 autoimmune rheumatism, 3 and autoimmune hepatitis. 4 A few mechanisms have been proposed to explain the potential link between COVID-19 vaccines and autoimmunity, including molecular mimicry, adjuvants, and bystander activation.