| Theme | Autoimmune Diseases in Gastroenterology | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | The Mechanism of Auto-immune Diseases | |
| Publish Date | 2003/12 | |
| Author | Yoshihide Fujiyama | Department of Internal Medicine, Shiga University of Medical School |
| Author | Atsuhiro Ogawa | Department of Internal Medicine, Shiga University of Medical School |
| Author | Akira Andoh | Department of Internal Medicine, Shiga University of Medical School |
| [ Summary ] | Interactions between environmental and hereditary factors are involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. In the processes of T cell development in the thymus, T cells which react with auto-antigens, are removed by apoptosis. However, considerable numbers of auto-reactive T cells are present in the peripheral blood. Thus, the classical mechanism of the induction of self-tolerance might be incomplete. Recent advances in immunology are gradually clarifying the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. | |