autoimmune
adjective
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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
Jennifer Lefton, Ms, Rd/n, Cnsc, Fand, Verywell Health, 6 Mar. 2025
Innovative biologics have vastly improved treatments for devastating diseases such as autoimmune disorders and cancers.
—Wayne Winegarden, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
Aside from nutrition, cankers are also linked to a range of autoimmune disorders like Crohn’s and celiac disease.
—Matt Fuchs, TIME, 26 Feb. 2025
At one point, her young daughter was diagnosed with juvenile myositis, a rare autoimmune disease.
—Joe Hernandez, NPR, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for autoimmune
Cite this Entry
“Autoimmune.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/autoimmune. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.
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autoimmune
adjective
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autoimmune
adjective
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