Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Relating to or caused by autoimmunity: Describes a condition where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks and damages its own healthy cells, tissues, or organs.
   • Involving an immune response against self-antigens: Pertains to the production of antibodies or activation of immune cells that target substances naturally present within the body.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Rheumatoid arthritis is a common autoimmune disease.
  • The patient's symptoms were consistent with an autoimmune response.
  • Researchers are studying the genetic factors behind autoimmune disorders.

Advanced Usage

• "Autoimmune reaction/response": The specific action of the immune system attacking the body's own tissues.
  • The rash was triggered by an autoimmune reaction to the medication.
• "Autoimmune-mediated": Caused or characterized by an autoimmune process.
  • The damage to the pancreas was autoimmune-mediated.

Variants and Related Words

• Autoimmunity (n): The condition or state of having an autoimmune disease; the failure of an organism to recognize its own constituent parts as self, leading to an immune response.
  • The study focused on the mechanisms of autoimmunity.
• Autoantibody (n): An antibody produced by the immune system that acts against one or more of the individual's own proteins.
  • The test detected specific autoantibodies in her blood.

Synonyms

• Self-immune: (Less common) Pertaining to immunity against self.
• Autoreactive: (Technical) Reacting against the organism's own tissues.

Related Phrases

• Autoimmune disease/disorder: A specific medical condition resulting from an autoimmune response.
  • Lupus is a systemic autoimmune disease.
• Autoimmune condition: A broader term for any state of health caused by autoimmunity.
  • Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition triggered by gluten.

Adjective

1. of or relating to the immune response of the body against substance normally present in the body