Page 5 - Autoimmune diseases

are found on every one of your cells as well as on

bacteria, fungi, viruses and all other

microorganisms.

The antigens of your cells look distinctly

different from the antigens of bacteria, fungi and

other microorgansims. When an immune cell or

antibody comes across a cell with your unique

antigens, it recognizes that cell as part of “self”

and simply leaves it alone. When an immune cell or

antibody comes across a cell (bacteria, fungus, etc)

whose antigens are not yours, it mounts an immune

response. This includes initiating an inflammatory

response and making an army of immune cells and

antibodies to search out and destroy any cell with

that foreign antigen.

When the immune system is working properly,

it is a very effective and efficient means of keeping

the body healthy. However, certain factors can limit

the efficacy and specificity of the immune

response and cause it to react in ways that work

against the body. We will go over a number of

those factors that affect the immune system to

function in a negative manner.