autoimmune

adjective

au·​to·​im·​mune ˌȯ-tō-im-ˈyün 

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

autoimmune diseases

autoimmunity

ˌȯ-tō-im-ˈyü-nə-tē 

noun

autoimmunization

ˌȯ-tō-ˌim-yə-nə-ˈzā-shən 

 also  -im-ˌyü-

noun

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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

Moderna's mRNA platform has enabled the development of therapeutics and vaccines for infectious diseases, immuno-oncology, rare diseases and autoimmune diseases. —Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2024

Research is increasingly demonstrating that CAR-T therapies, typically used for blood cancers, could be effective in autoimmune disease. —Meghana Keshavan, STAT, 17 Apr. 2024

The singer-songwriter isn't the only public figure who has been candid about her struggles with the autoimmune disease. —Jessica Wang, EW.com, 16 Apr. 2024

Advertisement Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin. —Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2024

These include such drugs as: Humira (adalimumab) Enbrel (etanercept) Remicade (infliximab) The triggering of psoriasis by these drugs is considered paradoxical since psoriasis is also an autoimmune disease. —Maureen Salamon, Verywell Health, 10 Apr. 2024

But the latest research casts doubt on that assumption, linking diet drinks to mood disorders, fatty liver development, autoimmune diseases, and cancer, to name a few. —Perri Ormont Blumberg, TIME, 9 Apr. 2024

Ford beat the cancer, though he was later diagnosed with an incurable autoimmune disease called myasthenia gravis that affects the face, eyes and throat. —Jack Irvin, Peoplemag, 8 Apr. 2024

Applegate first shared she was diagnosed with MS, an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, in August of 2021. —Alli Rosenbloom, CNN, 27 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

auto- + immune, after autoimmunity, borrowed from French auto-immunité

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

autoimmune

adjective

au·​to·​im·​mune ˌȯt-ō-im-ˈyün 

: relating to or caused by an abnormal condition in which an organism's immune system attacks and destroys parts of its own cells or tissues

multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease

Medical Definition

autoimmune

adjective

au·​to·​im·​mune -im-ˈyün 

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

autoimmune diseases