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Autoimmune Diseases

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  • Context (IE): A recent study delves into the connection between autoimmune diseases and X-chromosomes, offering insight into why women are more susceptible to such disorders.

Linkage between X Chromosome and Autoimmune Diseases

  • Females have two X chromosomes, while males have one X and one Y.
  • The second X chromosome in females contains both active and inactive genes.
  • The molecular coating of the X chromosome is a combination of RNA and proteins.
  • It is crucial to a process called X chromosome inactivation, which ensures that one set of X chromosomes in females remains active and functional while the other is muffled.
  • The chromosome is wrapped in long strands of RNA called XIST that attract proteins and tamp down the expression of the gene inside.
  • The ones that escape the X inactivation process are thought to be the cause of autoimmune diseases.
  • The XIST molecule, too, has been known to elicit inflammatory immune responses.

Autoimmune Diseases (AD)

  • It occurs when the immune system mistakenly targets healthy cells and tissues in the body.
  • Examples of AD: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Type 1 Diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis, Celiac Disease, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, Psoriasis, and Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
  • AD is more common in females, with a female-to-male ratio ranging from 10:1 to 1:1.
  • They can occur at any age but are more common during the reproductive years.
  • The presence of one AD in an individual increases the risk of developing another AD by 30-40%.
  • Symptoms: Fever, malaise, fatigue, arthralgia, deformity, disability, increased risk of comorbidities like cancer, stroke, mental illnesses, infections and risk of early mortality.

Autoimmune Diseases

Types of Autoimmune Diseases

  • Organ-specific disease (involving only one organ) in which the immune response is directed toward antigens present in a single organ.
    • E.g. Autoimmune thyroiditis, multiple sclerosis, Diabetes Mellitus Type I, etc.
  • Systemic disease in which the immune system attacks self-antigens in several organs.
    • E.g. Systemic lupus erythematosus is characterised by inflammation of the skin, mucus membranes, joints, kidneys, brain, intestines, etc.

What causes Autoimmune Diseases?

  • Genetics: A family history of autoimmune diseases suggests a genetic predisposition, with specific genes increasing susceptibility to such disorders.
  • Environmental Factors:
    • Microorganisms (bacteria or viruses) may trigger changes that confuse the immune system.
    • Epigenetic factors, which interact with genes, can also play a role.
  • Hormonal Influence: Estrogen, a female sex hormone, has an impact on the immune system, and imbalances or inflammation in estrogen levels can heighten the risk of AD in women.
  • Medications: Some medications can induce changes in the body that confuse the immune system; for instance, side effects of statins, antibiotics, and blood pressure medications may play a role.
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