Autoimmunity - an Introduction
Autoimmune Diseases II
Hughes-Syndrome or antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease that affects predominantly young women in their reproductive ages. The disease causes thromboses, recurring miscarriage and intrauterine fetal death without any explicable reason. The blood of these patients contains specific autoantibodies against phospholipids like cardiolipin or phospholipid-binding proteins.
-O-C(O)R: saturated or unsaturated fatty acids
Celiac disease is a chronic autoimmune disease triggered by intolerance to the grain component gluten.
In celiac disease, local autoimmune reactions in the mucosa of the small intestine develop after intake of gliadin, a protein from wheat. Proteins such as gliadin can pass through the layer of epithelial cells of the intestinal lining. The damaged mucosa is not able to absorb essential nutrients, leading to deficiencies and developmental disorders if children are affected.
- Fig.3
- Wheat (Triticum aestivum L. subsp. aestivum)
Recent research has also shown that autoimmune processes are implicated in cases of arteriosclerosis. After all, diseases basing on an autoreactive meachanisms are quite common.
Further readings
- Antiphospholipid Syndrome - a Challenge for Laboratory Diagnostics (PDF-Download). In: Up-to-Date 2009, Publisher Orgentec Diagnostika, Mainz, Germany.
- Celiac Disease - From Childhood Disease to Common Ailment (PDF-Download). In: Up-to-Date 2008, Publisher Orgentec Diagnostika, Mainz, Germany.
Literature
Wick, G.; Knoflach, M.; Xu, Q.
(2004):
Autoimmune and Inflammatory Mechanisms in Atherosclerosis.. In: Annual Review of Immunology. 22
(1)
, 361-403
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