AUTOANTIGENS Meaning and
Definition
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Autoantigens are self-antigens, a class of molecules derived from an individual's own cells or tissues that can stimulate an immune response leading to the production of autoantibodies. These antigens are recognized by the immune system as foreign, triggering an autoimmune response where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells and tissues.
Autoantigens play a crucial role in the development of autoimmune diseases, as they are responsible for initiating and maintaining the autoimmune response. They can be proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, or lipids. Examples of autoantigens include components of the nucleus, such as DNA and histones, as well as cellular proteins like thyroglobulin in autoimmune thyroid diseases or insulin in type 1 diabetes.
The immune system normally recognizes and eliminates self-reactive immune cells through a process called central tolerance. However, when self-tolerance mechanisms fail, self-reactive immune cells can escape into the periphery and encounter autoantigens. This encounter can result in the activation of autoreactive T and B cells, which produce autoantibodies capable of targeting and damaging healthy cells and tissues. The presence of autoantibodies in the blood is often used as a diagnostic marker for autoimmune diseases.
Understanding the specific autoantigens involved in different autoimmune disorders is important for diagnosis, prognosis, and potential treatment approaches. Autoantigens can be identified by techniques like immunoblotting, ELISA assays, or mass spectrometry, and their detection aids in the development of targeted therapies for autoimmune diseases.
Common Misspellings for AUTOANTIGENS
- zutoantigens
- sutoantigens
- wutoantigens
- qutoantigens
- aytoantigens
- ahtoantigens
- ajtoantigens
- aitoantigens
- a8toantigens
- a7toantigens
- auroantigens
- aufoantigens
- augoantigens
- auyoantigens
- au6oantigens
- au5oantigens
- autiantigens
- autkantigens
- autlantigens
- autpantigens
Etymology of AUTOANTIGENS
The word "autoantigens" is derived from two root elements: "auto-" and "antigens".
1. "Auto-" is a prefix that originates from the Greek word "autos", meaning "self" or "one's own". It is commonly used in English to indicate "self" or "automatic".
2. "Antigens" is a term that comes from the combination of two words: "anti" meaning "against" and "gen" meaning "generate" or "produce". An antigen is a substance that stimulates an immune response, typically by generating an antibody.
Therefore, when combined, "autoantigens" refers to antigens that are derived from one's own body or self. These antigens trigger an immune response against the body's own tissues, leading to autoimmune diseases.
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