| Theme |
Autoimmune Diseases in Gastroenterology |
| Title |
The Mechanism of Auto-immune Diseases |
| 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. |