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

The most common causes include genetics, age, stress, anemia, thyroid disorders, autoimmune diseases, hormonal, cancer medications, nutritional deficiency, pregnancy and traction alopecia. —Caroline Tell, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025

Related Story 6 Ways to Eliminate (Some) Microplastics & Toxins From Your Everyday Life Primary biliary cholangitis is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks healthy cells in the liver by mistake. —Korin Miller, Flow Space, 23 Apr. 2025

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes the body to attack itself, affecting the synovial tissue lining membranes in the joints throughout the body. —Jennifer Steinhoff, Verywell Health, 22 Apr. 2025

Turns out, her life-long eczema and severe flare-ups was in part due to the autoimmune disease, lupus, which she was diagnosed with in 2023. —India Espy-Jones, Essence, 21 Apr. 2025

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