Eureka! Institutional Repository

The human immune system is responsible for protecting the body from external factors (eg viruses, bacteria, etc.). This is achieved by special immune cells, the white blood cells. Autoimmune diseases occur when an inadvertent immune response occurs and white blood cells instead of protecting the body attack it. Although the reason why this happens is not known, the similar characteristics among autoimmune diseases suggest that the mechanisms that lead to their development are also common in genetically susceptible individuals. Current theories suggest that the development of an autoimmune disease requires genetic predisposition, infectious and environmental predisposing factors that trigger immune pathways ultimately leading to tissue destruction. Despite extensive research, there are no genetic tools that can be used clinically to predict autoimmune disease risk. Significant progress in the understanding of human autoimmune diseases has led to improvements in classification and diagnosis as well as progress in research for new treatments. The most common autoimmune diseases described in this paper include lupus, vasculitis, Sjögren & Guillain-Barre syndromes, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel diseases, etc. Current research is aimed at developing more targeted therapies and preventing the onset of the autoimmune disease.