Definition of AUTOIMMUNE

Other Words from autoimmune

autoimmunity \ -ˈyü-nə-tē

\ noun

autoimmunization \ -ˌim-yə-nə-ˈzā-shən

also -im-ˌyü- \ noun

Did You Know?

Any healthy body produces a variety of antibodies, proteins in the blood whose job is to protect the body from unwanted bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells. The cells and organs that deal with such infections make up the immune system. In some people and animals, for various reasons, the antibodies become overactive and turn on the body's healthy tissues as well; the result is an autoimmune disease—an immune response directed against one's own self. More than eighty autoimmune diseases have been identified, the best-known being type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Examples of autoimmune in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Wendy's brave speech comes just weeks after she was absent from her show for two months, reportedly battling many health issues including a shoulder injury and complications from Grave's disease (an autoimmune thyroid condition). — Kayla Keegan, Good Housekeeping, "Tamron Hall and Others Rally Around Wendy Williams After She Announces She's Living in a Sober House," 19 Mar. 2019 Some places even suggest that this syndrome could be associated with everything from food allergies and nutritional deficiencies to autoimmune conditions, fatigue, and joint pain. — Sarah Jacoby, SELF, "Leaky Gut Syndrome Isn’t an Official Diagnosis, but the Symptoms Are Real," 19 Mar. 2019 Its first lead drug, ANX005, could treat autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases. — Brian Gormley, WSJ, "Biotech Startup Annexon Rounds Up $75 Million Series C," 19 Dec. 2018 She was diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis, a condition indicating that the liver is inflamed, but her doctors didn’t know what was causing it. — Korin Miller, SELF, "Turmeric Supplements May Have Caused This Woman's Liver Disease," 24 Sep. 2018 In 2008, Mark Musgrove, Joe’s father, was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome, an autoimmune deficiency. — John Maffei, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Three Pirates pitchers celebrate San Diego homecoming," 28 June 2018 Less exposure to this bacteria and other environmental factors may lead to allergies, asthma and autoimmune disorders. — Jason Daley, Smithsonian, "Your Bed Is Dirtier Than a Chimp’s," 18 May 2018 Yescarta, Gilead’s cancer drug was a bright spot while experimental therapies including the drugmaker’s autoimmune drug filgotinib and liver disease pipeline may make this a clinical story in the latter half of the year. — Bloomberg.com, "Gilead Sinks Most in Over a Year After Disappointing Earnings," 2 May 2018 Rapamycin has a widening therapeutic role in inhibiting cellular proliferation, from suppressing tumors to preventing autoimmune rejections. — Scientific American, "Readers Respond to the January 2018 Issue," 1 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'autoimmune.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.