In autoimmune disorders, the immune system produces antibodies to an endogenous antigen (autoantigen). The following hypersensitivity reactions may be involved:

• Type II: Antibody-coated cells, like any similarly coated foreign particle, activate the complement system (see Biology of the Immune System: Complement System), resulting in tissue injury.
• Type III: The mechanism of injury involves deposition of antibody-antigen complexes.
• Type IV: Injury is T-cell-mediated.

For specific autoimmune disorders, see elsewhere in The Manual.

Women are affected more often than men.

Etiology

Mechanisms: Several mechanisms may account for the body's attack on itself. Autoantigens may become immunogenic if they are altered in some way. Alternatively, antibodies to a foreign antigen may cross-react with an unaltered antigen (eg, antibodies to streptococcal M protein may cross-react with human heart muscle). Or antigens normally sequestered from the immune system can become exposed and cause an autoimmune reaction (eg, systemic release of melanin-containing uveal cells after eye trauma triggers sympathetic ophthalmia).

Autoantigens may be altered chemically, physically, or biologically:

• Chemical: Certain chemicals can bind with body proteins, making them immunogenic, as occurs in drug-induced hemolytic anemia.
• Physical: For example, ultraviolet light induces keratinocyte apoptosis and subsequent altered immunogenicity of autoantigens, resulting in photosensitivity, as can occur in cutaneous lupus erythematosus.
• Biologic: For example, in animal models, persistent infection with an RNA virus that combines with host tissues alters autoantigens biologically, resulting in an autoimmune disorder resembling SLE.

Genetic factors: Relatives of patients with autoimmune disorders often also have autoantibodies. The specificity of autoantibodies in patients and in their relatives is frequently, but not always, similar. The incidence of autoimmune disorders is higher in identical twins than in fraternal twins.

Most autoimmune disorders have a polygenic etiology, and allelic variants within the HLA-gene locus nearly always contribute.

Defense mechanisms: Normally, potentially pathologic autoimmune reactions are avoided because of the immunologic tolerance mechanisms of clonal deletion and clonal anergy. Any autoreactive lymphocytes not controlled by these mechanisms are usually restrained by Foxp3+ regulatory T cells. A regulatory T-cell defect may interfere with any of these protective mechanisms, resulting in autoimmunity. Anti-idiotype antibodies (antibodies to the antigen-combining site of other antibodies) may interfere with regulation of antibody activity.

Last full review/revision July 2012 by Peter J. Delves, PhD

Content last modified July 2012