More and more people around the globe are suffering as their immune systems cannot longer tell the difference between healthy cells and invader micro-organisms. They are being attacked by the immune defenses to diseases that were once there to defend them.
International research is being undertaken to counter this trend. This includes a project at London's Francis Crick Institute where two world experts, James Lee, and Carola Vinuesa, have formed distinct research groups to determine the root causes of autoimmune diseases.
Lee stated that cases of autoimmune disease are increasing since the past 40 years, in the west. However, some of these cases are now being observed in countries where they have never had such illnesses before.
For example, the Middle East and East Asia are the regions that have the highest number of cases of inflammatory intestinal disease. They had never seen the condition before.
Autoimmune diseases range from type 1 diabetes to rheumatoid arthritis inflammatory bowel disease and multiple sclerosis. Every case is unique. In every case, the immune system crosses its wires and switches on healthy tissues, not infective agents.
About four million people living in the UK suffer from these conditions. Some may be suffering more than one. In the world, it is believed that the incidence of autoimmune diseases is growing by anywhere between 3 and 9 percent annually. Many researchers believe that environmental factors are a major factor in this rise.
Lee who was previously employed in Cambridge University, said that the human genetics of humans is not changing over the last decade. There's a possibility that something is happening out there which is increasing our vulnerability to autoimmune diseases.
Vinuesa who was a former student at the Australian National University, supported this idea. She mentioned the shifts in food habits that took place when more nations adopted west-style diets and people were eating more fast food.
Vinuesa stated that fast-food meals are deficient in certain essential ingredients like fiber. Evidence suggests that this change could affect a person's microbiome which is the accumulation of microorganisms living in our digestive tract. These microorganisms play an crucial role in controlling many bodily functions.
The changes in our microbiomes trigger autoimmune disorders that are of over 100 different types.
Both researchers stressed that there were individual susceptibilities to such illnesses. This includes celiac, as well as Lupus. It causes inflammation, swelling, and could cause damage and death to many organs, including heart.
"If you don't have a certain genetic susceptibility it is unlikely that you will develop an autoimmune disorder regardless of how many Big Macs consume," said Vinuesa. "We are unable to slow the growth of fast-food chains around the world. Instead, we're focusing on the genetic factors that cause autoimmune diseases. We want to know why some people are more vulnerable to autoimmune diseases than others. We are trying to address the issue at that level."
With the development of technology, scientists are capable of identifying small differences in people's DNA. This way, it is possible to identify common genetic patterns in people suffering from an autoimmune disorder.
Lee explained that the ability to sequence large quantities of DNA has changed everything. We didn't have this technology until recently. My study revealed that there were around six DNA variations that are involved in the development of inflammatory bowel disease. Now we know of over 250.
Lee and Vinuesa have been pursuing these kinds of research because they want to learn more about how genetic pathways function and the underlying causes of the diverse diseases that doctors are studying. Vinuesa claims that it's now apparent that there exist various types of autoimmune diseases such as Lupus. All of them could be caused by different genetic pathways. It is important to understand that this can have consequences in determining the right treatment.
There are many new potential therapies that are likely to be beneficial, but we don’t have the appropriate patients. In fact we don't have the information we need to know if these patients suffer from the same illness. This is the aim of autoimmune research. It is crucial to know how to classify and categorize patients in order Click here to give them the best treatment.
Lee said that rising cases of autoimmune disease around the globe means that new medications and treatments are required now more than ever. It is not possible to treat autoimmune illnesses. It happens when young people are trying to complete their college education, get a first job, and have families.
It means more people are going to need surgery, or will require regular injections for the rest their lives. This could be very stressful for patients and an enormous burden on healthcare services. It is therefore essential to come up with effective and novel treatment options.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an immune-mediated disease. However, it's not yet understood what causes this.
The Check out antibodies that your immune system creates to fight viruses and bacteria are the ones you require to fight off infection.
If you suffer from Rheumatoid arthritis Your immune system mistakenly sends antibodies into your joints the lining of your joints, and they target the tissues around them.
The thin layer of cells (synovium) that cover your joints, is prone to inflammation and swollen.
bones
Cartilage - The connective tissue that connects cartilage and bones
Tendons - connect muscle to bone
Ligaments - The ligaments - The tissue that connects cartilage to bone
These chemicals can cause rheumatoid joint harm if it isn't treated. Then, eventually, it will ruin the joint completely.
There are many theories about how the immune system can attack the joints have been suggested including an infection acting as the trigger, but none of these theories have been proven.
Possible risk factors
You may be more at risk for developing rheumatoid arthritis if you do the following:
Your genes - There is some evidence suggesting that rheumatoid arthritis can be passed through families. But the chance of passing it to a child is low since genes only play an insignificant role in the condition.
Hormones – Rheumatoid arthritis is more prevalent in women than for males. While this could be due in part to the impact of the estrogenic hormones on the body, it has not been established.
Smoking cigarettes - There is evidence that those who smoke are more likely develop rheumatoid arthritis.