autoimmune

adjective au·to·im·mune \ -im-ˈyün \

|Updated on: 8 Jul 2018

Definition of autoimmune

: of, relating to, or caused by autoantibodies or T cells that attack molecules, cells, or tissues of the organism producing them

autoimmune diseases

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autoimmunity

play \-ˈyü-nə-tē\ noun

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autoimmunization

play \-ˌim-yə-nə-ˈzā-shən also -im-ˌyü-\ noun

Recent Examples of autoimmune from the Web

The rare autoimmune disease causes the body's immune system to attack the nerves.

— kelsey mo, azcentral, "UA student recounts sudden paralysis during trip to Spain," 3 July 2018
The film, starring Chloe Grace Moretz, chronicles Cahalan's curious disease, which perplexed doctors, until she was finally diagnosed with anti-NDMA receptor encephalitis, an exceptionally rare autoimmune disease.

— Houston Chronicle, "New Netflix movie explores disease studied by Houston doctor," 2 July 2018
Funds raised help the Lupus Society of Illinois advocate for those with the autoimmune disease and provide services free of charge.

— michelle mullins, Naperville Sun, "Naperville News Digest," 29 June 2018
The founder of goat yoga, Lainey Morse, has shared a similar story that led her to the idea in 2016 when she was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease and went through a divorce.

— author: christine cunningham, Anchorage Daily News, "Goat yoga comes to Alaska: part workout, part petting zoo, all fun," 25 June 2018
The book likens this response to that of an autoimmune disease.

— jaclyn london, ms, rd, cdn, Good Housekeeping, "How Kelly Clarkson Lost Nearly 40 Pounds on the Plant Paradox Diet," 25 June 2018
Her 7-year-old daughter Ava has Type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease that causes the pancreas to stop producing insulin, a hormone that controls blood-sugar levels.

— lisa maria garza, OrlandoSentinel.com, "More than 1,200 people walk, run in Orlando to raise awareness of diabetes," 24 June 2018
Last year, 16-year-old Tinuolawaye Omotade came down with an autoimmune disease that caused her to periodically lose her vision.

— madeline muzzi, The Cut, "A Fantasy Prom for Teens in Need," 24 May 2018
More than 1 million Americans have Type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune condition that destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.

— wayne drash, CNN, "The medicine keeping her alive was also killing her," 12 June 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.

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.