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1-موضوعات
عامة
2-أشعارى
3-مختارات شعرية و قصصية
4-مقالات أدبية
5-مقالات تاريخية و سياسية
6-شخصيات
7-إسلاميات
8-عروض الكتب
9-القسم الطبى
10-طب الأسنان
11-مدوناتى الخاصة
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An Attack on Self Tissues
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hen the immune system mistakes self tissues for nonself and mounts
an inappropriate attack, the result is an autoimmune disease. |
There are many different autoimmune diseases. Some examples
are Wegener's granulomatosis, multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes
mellitus, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Autoimmune diseases can each affect the body in different ways.
For instance, the autoimmune reaction is directed against the
brain in multiple sclerosis and the gut in Crohn's disease. In
other diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus),
affected tissues and organs may vary among individuals with the
same disease.
Many autoimmune diseases are rare. As a group, however, they
afflict millions of Americans. Most autoimmune diseases strike
women more often than men, particularly affecting women of
working age and during their childbearing years.
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Our immune system is
a complex network of specialized cells and organs that has
evolved to defend the body against attacks by "foreign"
invaders. |
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Genetic
factors
The genes people inherit contribute to their susceptibility for
developing an autoimmune disease. Certain diseases such as psoriasis can
occur among several members of the same family, suggesting that a
specific gene or set of genes predisposes a family member to psoriasis.
In addition, individual family members with autoimmune diseases may
inherit and share a set of abnormal genes, although they may develop
different autoimmune diseases.
These diseases are often chronic, requiring lifelong care and
monitoring, even when the person may look or feel well. Currently few
autoimmune diseases can be cured or made to "disappear" with
treatment. However, many people with these diseases can live normal
lives when they receive appropriate medical care.
Scientists are searching for ways to prevent and treat these
diseases by studying the immune system factors, the role of
genetics, and the possible role of infectious agents.
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Treatment for Wegener's
granulomatosis
People with Wegener's granulomatosis have an inflammation of the blood
vessels, lungs, and airways. This inflammation reduces oxygen in the
blood, restricting blood flow to vital organs and destroying normal
tissue.
NIAID scientists were the first to introduce a combination of two
drugs, a glucocorticoid and cyclophosphamide, for treating patients
with the disease. This dramatic breakthrough remains the standard
treatment for the
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