autoimmune
Relating to a disease in which the immune system attacks the body's own healthy tissues.
Adjective
This term describes a biological failure of recognition where the body's defense mechanisms mistake self-cells for foreign invaders. It carries a clinical, medical tone and suggests a chronic, systemic internal conflict rather than an external infection or a simple deficiency.
In a medical context, it implies a state of permanent vigilance or dysfunction, often associated with long-term management rather than a quick cure. It is used exclusively in scientific or healthcare settings to categorize specific pathologies like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.
Meanings
Examples
The patient requires medication for her autoimmune flare.
Health
Related Words
antibodyantigenautoantibodyautoimmunityallergyinflammationimmuneimmunologyimmunodeficiencyimmunosuppressantlymphocyteleukocyteT-cellB-cellcytokinecomplementhistamineproteinreceptorepitopeapoptosishomeostasispathologydiseasedisordersyndromerheumatismarthritislupussclerosisdiabetespsoriasisceliacmyastheniasarcoidosisvasculitisanemiathrombocytopeniahyperplasiaatrophysteroidcortisonechemotherapybiologicvaccineplasmaserummarrowthymusspleenlymph nodemacrophagemonocyteneutrophileosinophilbasophilinterleukininterferoncomplement systemmajor histocompatibility complextolerancehypersensitivityflareremissionchronicsystemicautoimmune diseaseimmunotherapysuppressionactivationrecognitionbindingcascadepathogenvirusbacteriafungusparasitehosttissuecellmembranenucleuscytoplasmenzymehormonemetabolismgeneticshereditymutation