What is the general definition of autoimmunity?

What is the general definition of autoimmunity?

• A. Increase of tolerance to self-antigens
• B. Loss of tolerance to self-antigens
• C. Increase in clonal deletion of mutant cells
• D. Manifestation of immunosuppression

Answer: (B)

Autoimmunity refers to the phenomenon where the immune system mistakenly targets and attacks the body's own tissues, failing to recognize them as "self." The correct answer focuses on the loss of tolerance to self-antigens, which means that the immune system no longer discriminates between self and non-self, leading to an immune response against the body's own cells. In a healthy immune system, there is a state of tolerance where the body recognizes its self-antigens and refrains from mounting an immune response against them. This tolerance is crucial for preventing autoimmune diseases. However, when this tolerance is lost, the immune system can produce antibodies or activate T cells against these self-antigens, resulting in autoimmune conditions. The other options reflect different immune responses or mechanisms that do not directly define autoimmunity. An increase of tolerance to self-antigens suggests a stronger defense against autoimmunity, whereas an increase in clonal deletion of mutant cells typically pertains to tumor immunology rather than autoimmunity. Lastly, the manifestation of immunosuppression implies a reduced immune response, which contrasts with the heightened immune activity seen in autoimmune diseases.

Autoimmunity refers to the phenomenon where the immune system mistakenly targets and attacks the body's own tissues, failing to recognize them as "self." The correct answer focuses on the loss of tolerance to self-antigens, which means that the immune system no longer discriminates between self and non-self, leading to an immune response against the body's own cells.

In a healthy immune system, there is a state of tolerance where the body recognizes its self-antigens and refrains from mounting an immune response against them. This tolerance is crucial for preventing autoimmune diseases. However, when this tolerance is lost, the immune system can produce antibodies or activate T cells against these self-antigens, resulting in autoimmune conditions.

The other options reflect different immune responses or mechanisms that do not directly define autoimmunity. An increase of tolerance to self-antigens suggests a stronger defense against autoimmunity, whereas an increase in clonal deletion of mutant cells typically pertains to tumor immunology rather than autoimmunity. Lastly, the manifestation of immunosuppression implies a reduced immune response, which contrasts with the heightened immune activity seen in autoimmune diseases.