Many people around the globe suffer from an immune system that can't differentiate between healthy cells invader bacteria, and diseases. Disease defences that once protected them are instead attacking their tissue and organs.
Major international research efforts are being conducted to stop this trend. A London-based organization, the Francis Crick Institute, has two world-renowned experts. James Lee & Carola Vinuesa established distinct research teams to figure out the root causes of the autoimmune condition.
Lee explained to the Observer that autoimmune cases started to rise around 40 years ago, in Western countries. New cases are being reported in countries where these diseases were not seen before.
For example, the Middle East and East Asia are the regions with the most cases of inflammatory intestinal diseases. The people there had never heard of the disease before.
Autoimmune disorders range from type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis inflammatory bowel disease and multiple sclerosis. In all cases the immune system is activated and begins to turn on healthy tissues.
There are at most 4,000,000 people suffering from autoimmune disorders in the UK and some suffer from multiple. Globally, it's estimated that the incidence of autoimmune diseases is rising at a rate of between 3 to 9 percent per year. Most scientists believe environmental factors play a key role in this rise.
Lee, who was previously located at Cambridge University, stated that genetics have not changed in recent years. Therefore, something is changing around the world in a manner that's increasing our susceptibility to autoimmune disease.
Vinuesa who used to be situated at the Australian National University supported the concept. She noted that there had been changes in diet because more people were eating western-style meals, and increasing consumption of fast food.
Vinuesa says that many fast-food products lack essential ingredients such as fibre. The change could affect your microbiome, which is the collection micro-organisms found in our bodies and which plays a critical role in controlling different bodily functions.
These changes in our microbiomes then trigger immune-mediated diseases, of which more than 100 types are now being identified.
The scientists both pointed out the significance of each individual's risk factors for developing such illnesses. The celiac and lupus diseases are two other diseases that can cause swelling and inflammation that could result in damage to various organs, which includes your heart.
Vinuesa explained that autoimmune diseases aren't something you could get if you do not possess a particular genetic susceptibility. There is no way to stop the proliferation of fast-food restaurants all over the world. Therefore, we are trying to understand the fundamental genetic mechanisms that underpin the autoimmune diseases that make certain people more susceptible than others. We're determined to tackle this issue at the most fundamental levels.
The development of modern technologies allows us to identify tiny differences in the DNA of large numbers of people. This way, it is possible to find the common genetic patterns that are common to those who suffer from an autoimmune condition.
Lee explained that the capability to sequence large amounts of DNA has revolutionized the entire process. We Check out didn't have this technology until the last few years. Inflammatory bowel diseases were only one of the variants that we could identify when I began my studies. Today, we have more than 250.
Lee and Vinuesa have been pursuing this research because they wish to learn more about how genetic pathways function and the causes of the various diseases that doctors are examining. Vinuesa claims that it's now apparent that there exist various types of autoimmune diseases like Lupus. These may all result from different genetic pathways. And that has a consequence when you are trying to determine the best treatment.
Many new therapies are under development, and we don't know who to give these treatments Click here to. Because we don’t know their exact disease There are a variety of choices. This is the purpose of research on autoimmune disease. We must learn to classify and stratify patients so we can offer them the best therapy.
Lee stated that the growing incidence of autoimmune diseases around the world meant that new therapies and medications were urgently needed. There is currently no treatment for autoimmune disease that are most often seen in young people, while they're trying to get their first job, graduate from school, and raise their families.
This means that more people are going to need surgeryor require regular injections throughout their lives. It can be grim for patients as well as a significant burden on health care services. It is therefore essential to find effective and new methods of treatment.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an immuno-mediated condition. It's not clear what causes this.
The immune system creates antibodies that fight off viruses and bacteria, which helps to fight off infections.
If you suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis, your immune system is sending antibodies to the joint lining and attack the tissue surrounding the joint.
The thin layer (synovium) that is a protective layer on your joints, can be inflamed and inflamed which releases chemicals and cause damage.
bones
Cartilage is the connective tissue between bones that is made of cartilage.
The tendons are the tissue that connects muscle and bone
Ligaments – The tissues that connect bone and cartilage
If rheumatoid isn't treated, the chemicals slowly cause the joint lose its shape. This can lead to complete destruction of the joint.
There have been many theories about why the immune systems attacks the joints. One theory is that an infection might be a trigger. But none of these theories have been confirmed.
Possible risk factors
Rheumatoid-related arthritis may result from a number of reasons, such as:
Genetics - Some evidence suggests that rheumatoid arthritis may be passed down through families. But, it's unlikely that you'll inherit the condition. Genes are thought to only play a minor part in the.
Hormones Rheumatoid arthritis can be more common for women than men. Although this may be due in part to the effect of the hormone oestrogen on the body, the cause has not been proven.
Smoking is a risky habit. There is evidence to suggest that smoking increases the likelihood of developing rheumatoidarthritis.