Dissecting genetic mechanisms conferring susceptibility to autoimmune diseases

[Extract] Autoimmunity is defined as a specific immune response directed against one or more self antigens that occurs as a result of the failure or breakdown in the mechanisms responsible for maintaining immunological tolerance. Although autoimmunity is not necessarily destructive, in a small proportion of individuals, it can lead to pathological tissue damage. Depending on the target tissue of the autoimmune attack, a variety of autoimmune diseases can ensue which differ greatly in their clinical presentation