Book chapter
Autoimmune Diseases
Health and Disease Among Women: Biological and Environmental Influences
03 Dec 1998
Abstract
Under normal conditions, the immune system distinguishes the body’s own tis sues from external invaders. In autoimmune diseases the immune system inappropriately targets the body and this results in tissue injury. Autoimmune responses may be directed toward a specific organ or towards components of cells. Organ-specific autoimmune conditions include autoimmune thyroiditis and bullous dermatologic conditions, including pemphigoid. In contrast, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by the production of autoantibodies directed against the nucleus, cytoplasm, or membrane of cells. This generalized autoreactivity in SLE results in multi-organ involvement.
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Details
- Title
- Autoimmune Diseases
- Creators
- Susan ManziRosalind Ramsey-Goldman
- Contributors
- Roberta B. Ness (Editor)Lewis H. Kuller (Editor)
- Publication Details
- Health and Disease Among Women: Biological and Environmental Influences
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press; New York, NY
- Resource Type
- Book chapter
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- General Internal Medicine
- Other Identifier
- 991021934011104721