A Propos Time and Autoimmunity

Abstract

The integrated defense system has been shaped over eons showing noteworthy robustness by surviving a million-year prehistory, a comparatively short evolving history and current transformation. Self-identification being part of it, so are deviations manifold expressed in autoimmunity. Epidemiological incidence and intensity, both being subject of change, are focused in the light of the time factor. Furthermore, it is stressed that there is no bi-univocal mutual relationship between immunity and defense and the origins of autoimmunity still remain mysterious. We question whether the present transforming events have occurred within too short a time to be attributed to genetic predisposition exclusively.

The autoimmunologist: geoepidemiology, a new center of gravity, and prime time for autoimmunity

“…It was not until later that the conceptual revolution began in defining the nature of tolerance and the distinction between self and non-self thanks to the Nobel laureate Paul Ehrlich. Ehrlich became famous not so much for his contributions in autoimmunity, but rather because he coined ''The Horror Autotoxicus'' stating that an immune response against one's own body elements would necessarily lead to death; the concept of autoimmunity can be traced back to these years [1,2]. Following the 1947 discovery of LE cells and later of serum antinuclear antibodies (ANA), it became clear that there are not only multiple autoimmune diseases, but also that autoantibodies are more numerous than autoimmune diseases.…”

Cutting Edge Issues in Autoimmunity

“…Systemic lupus erythematosus continually attracts attention as well as its relationship to vasculitis (122)(123)(124)(125)(126)(127)(128). Finally, we note interesting data on the role of skewed X chromosomes in autoimmunity and including scleroderma, as well as a unique perspective of the ontogeny of autoimmunity (129)(130)(131). 16 …”

Explosion of autoimmune diseases and the mosaic of old and novel factors

“…Ehrlich became famous not so much for his contributions in autoimmunity, but rather because he coined 'The Horror Autotoxicus' stating that an immune response against one's own body elements would necessarily lead to death; the concept of autoimmunity can be traced back to these years. 60,61 Following the 1947 discovery of lupus erythematosus cells and later of serum antinuclear antibodies, it became clear that there are not only multiple autoimmune diseases, but also that autoantibodies are more numerous than autoimmune diseases. Our knowledge on autoimmunity has paralleled the fast pace of discovery for new diagnostic tools 62 and we are currently in the era of microarrays to diagnose and ideally predict autoimmunity.…”