A growing number of people across the globe suffer because their immune systems can no more distinguish between healthy cells and invader micro-organisms. Their organs and tissue are now being attacked by defenses against disease that they once had.
This issue is being tackled by major international research efforts. One example of this initiative is London's Francis Crick Institute. Two world experts, James Lee (from the Americas) as well as Carola Vinuesa (from Italy) have formed distinct research groups to determine the root cause of the problem.
The number of cases of autoimmune diseases increased about 40 years ago in the West, Lee told the Observer. However, these illnesses are now appearing in nations that haven't experienced them before.
For instance the Middle East/East Asia has seen the largest recent rise in the number of inflammatory bowel disease cases. Before that they had hardly had any experience with the disease.
Type 1 diabetes is among the autoimmune diseases. Other diseases include rheumatoid disease, inflammatory bowel and multiple sclerosis. In all cases the immune system is activated and its wires crossed, and it turns towards healthy tissue, not infective agents.
These ailments have been documented by as many as 4 million people in the UK. Certain sufferers could suffer from multiple. In the world, it is believed that the incidence of autoimmune diseases is growing by 3 to 9 percent per year. Numerous scientists believe that environmental factors are the primary cause of this growth.
Lee who was previously employed at Cambridge University, said that the human genetics of human beings has not changed over the last few decades. It appears that something is going on in the world outside that is increasing our susceptibility to autoimmune diseases.
Vinuesa who was located at the Australian National University backed the concept. She highlighted changes in the diet happening as more countries adopted western-style diets and people ate more fast food.
Vinuesa said that some vital elements in fast food diets are missing such as fibre. It is known to suggest that altering a person’s microbiome (the collection of microorganisms that we have in our digestive tract) could lead to a loss in certain body functions.
Microbiomes are the microbiome that is altered. This leads to autoimmune diseases. There are over 100 different types.
The scientists both stressed that each person is susceptible to developing these illnesses, which include celiac, Lupus, and various other illnesses such as celiac that cause swelling and inflammation and can cause significant damage to various organs.
Vinuesa said that autoimmune disorders are not something you can develop if you don't have a specific genetic susceptibility. We can't stop the growth of fast-food outlets across the globe. Instead, we are focusing in understanding the genetic factors that underlie autoimmune disorders and the reasons why certain people are more susceptible than others not. We're trying to solve the problem at this level."
The advancement of technology has allowed scientists to detect tiny variations in DNA across large populations of people. This allows us to identify the common genetic traits in those suffering from autoimmune diseases.
Lee says that although we had tools for sequencing DNA up to the point of being able to sequence DNA, until recent but it was not feasible. When I began researching, we only knew about 50% of the DNA variants which were linked to the onset of inflammation in the intestines. We now know about 250.
This is at the core of the work done by Lee and Vinuesa. They aim to discover the functions of different genetic pathways and to discover the different types of diseases researchers are currently studying. Vinuesa says that it is now clear that there are many types of autoimmune conditions like Lupus. All of them could be caused by different genetic pathways. If you're trying to determine the most effective treatment for your condition it can become a problem.
There are many Check out new therapies being developed and we don't know who to recommend these to. Because we don’t know their specific disease there are numerous options. This is the purpose of research on autoimmune disease. So that we can deliver the best treatment it is essential to be able to group and stratify patients.
Lee stated that due to the rise in autoimmune diseases all over the world, new therapies and medications are needed more urgently than ever. Click here Lee also said that there's currently no cure for autoimmune disorders. These often occur in young people as they try to finish their education, find work, and then start families.
This means that many more people will need surgeryor require regular injections for the remainder of their lives. It's a very stressful experience for patients as well as an enormous strain on health care system. It is urgent that we find new, more effective treatments.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disease. It is caused by the immune system attacks healthy body tissue. It's not clear what causes this.
Your immune system normally produces antibodies that attack viruses and bacteria to help fight infection.
Rheumatoid arthritis refers to a condition that affects your immune system and transmits antibodies to joints. They attack the tissue surrounding the joint.
The thin, cells-like layer of your joints (synovium) to get inflamed and sore, which releases chemicals that cause harm nearby.
bones
Cartilage - The connective tissue which connects bones and cartilage
Tendons are the connective tissue that connects bone and muscles.
Ligaments - The tissues that connects cartilage and bone
If the issue is not treated, it can gradually cause the loss of alignment and form. It could eventually lead to total destruction of the joint.
There have been many theories on the reason why the immune system attacks the joints. For example an infection could be the trigger. However none theory is proved.
Possible risk factors
There are many factors that increase the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis for example:
The genes you carry - There is evidence that suggests that rheumatoid joint disease can be passed down in families. It is not likely that you'll inherit the disease. Genetics are believed to play only a minor role in it.
Hormones – Rheumatoid arthritis is more prevalent in women than for males. Although this may be due in part to the impact of the hormone oestrogen on the body, the cause has not been confirmed.
Smoking cigarettes is a risk cause for rheumatoid artifiid. A few studies support this.