Better understanding of severe immunological reactions: Autoimmune diseases

Abstract

Autoimmune diseases, which result from an imbalance between activated immune responses mediated by antibodies or cytotoxic T cells, and immunosuppressive reactions mediated by various factors including regulatory T cells, are one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. This chapter summarizes the current status of autoimmune disease research from the aspect of immunogenetic/immunogenomic pathogenesis. Findings from association studies, including genome-wide association studies (GWASs), could contribute to further understanding of the etiology of autoimmune diseases. For example, certain types of HLA class II molecules have been identified to have possible roles in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Recent studies have implied the usefulness of deep T-cell repertoire analysis in individual patients for identification of selfantigens, which are presented on HLA molecules involved in the development and progression of autoimmune diseases. We believe it is timely to review progress in current knowledge of autoimmune disease biology, as well as future prospects for autoimmune disease research through the immunopharmacogenomics approach.