Genetics, Autoimmunity, and Cancer

Abstract

he immune system represents a complex system that works to protect the organism against foreign substances. The immune system activated by antigens attempts to eradicate the antigen either by phagocytosis directly with leukocytes or with lymphocytes and antibodies. Immune tolerance is the non-responsiveness of the immune system whose main purpose is to work against foreign antigens, against the organism's own antigens. Loss of immune tolerance causes the development of autoantibodies, resulting in tissue damage and autoimmunity. Autoimmunity mostly causes damage to the self-antigens of the immune system and, accordingly, tissues through antibodies.