The majority of people in the world suffer with an immune system that is unable to differentiate between healthy cells invader bacteria and disease. Their organs and tissue are being attacked by defenses against disease that they once had.
International research is being undertaken to counter this trend. This includes a project at London's Francis Crick Institute where two world experts, James Lee, and Carola Vinuesa have established distinct research groups to determine the root causes of autoimmune diseases.
Lee stated to the Observer the Observer that autoimmune diseases were increasing in the West around 40 years back. We are seeing new cases in countries where these diseases have not been seen before.
For instance, the Middle East/east Asia has seen the most recent rise in the number of inflammatory bowel disease cases. They'd never seen the condition before.
Type 1 diabetes multiple sclerosis, IBD and rheumatoidarthitis all are autoimmune diseases. In all cases the immune system has its wires crossed and focuses to healthy tissues instead of infectious agents.
About four million people living in the UK have been affected by these conditions. Other people may have more than one. It is widely believed that the amount of autoimmune diseases is rising by 3 to 9 percent each year. Researchers believe that environmental factors are key to this rise.
Lee, who was previously at Cambridge University, says that human genetics hasn’t changed over the past decade. Therefore, something is changing outside of our body that may increase our chances of developing an autoimmune condition.
Vinuesa was in favor of the idea, having previously worked at the Australian National University. She noted that there had been changes in diet when more people ate western meals, as well as increased consumption of fast food.
Vinuesa said that some vital components of fast food diets aren't present, including fibre. It is known to suggest that altering a person’s microbiome (the collection of microorganisms and microbes we have in our digestive tract) could lead to a loss in certain body functions.
These changes in our microbiomes can trigger autoimmune diseases, of which more than 100 types are now being identified.
The two scientists emphasized that there were individual susceptibilities to such illnesses. This includes celiac as well as Lupus. It causes inflammation and swelling, and can cause death and damage to various organs, such as the heart.
"If you don't have a certain genetic susceptibility but you don't have to be at risk of developing an autoimmune disease, no matter how many Big Macs you consume," said Vinuesa. "There is not a lot that we can do to halt the global spread of fast-food franchises. Instead, we're trying to discover how autoimmune illnesses occur and the genetic factors that make certain people more susceptible than others. We're determined to tackle this issue at the highest level.
Modern technology has allowed scientists to spot tiny differences in the DNA of large numbers of individuals. This allows them to identify common genetic patterns in people with an autoimmune disorder.
Lee explained that we didn't have the tools to sequence DNA until recent. But, today we do have the incredible ability to sequence DNA on huge scales. This has made a huge difference in our lives. When I began my studies, we were aware of half a dozen DNA variants which were responsible for triggering inflammation in the bowel. More than 250 are now known.
Lee and Vinuesa are working on such work because they want to learn more about how genetic pathways function and the underlying causes of the diverse diseases that doctors are currently examining. Vinuesa says that it is now evident that there are numerous types of autoimmune disorders like Lupus. They could all be caused by different genetic pathways. It can be difficult to find the right treatment.
There are many promising therapies that are likely to be beneficial, but we don’t have the appropriate patients. Actually we do not have the data we require to know if these patients suffer from the same illness. And that is now a key goal for the research into autoimmune diseases. To ensure that we offer the most effective treatment we must be able to classify and categorize patients.
Lee stated that the growing rate of autoimmune illnesses across the globe meant that innovative therapies and medications were urgently required. There are currently no treatments for autoimmune diseases, which often occur in young peoplewho are trying to land their first job, finish school, and raise their families.
That means growing numbers of people face surgery or will be required to receive regular injections for the rest of their lives. This can be very difficult for patients and an enormous pressure on healthcare. Therefore, it is crucial to develop new, effective treatments.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an immune-mediated disorder. However, we aren't sure the triggers for it.
Your immune system usually produces antibodies to fight off bacteria and viruses to fight infection.
Your immune system may incorrectly release antibodies to your joints if you suffer from Rheumatoid. These antibodies attack the surrounding tissue.
The delicate layer of cells (synovium) that covers your joints, becomes inflamed and swollen.
bones
Cartilage is the connective tissue that connects bones.
Tendons are the tissue that connects muscle and bone
Ligaments – The tissues that connect cartilage and bone
Rheumatoid arthritis may be treated but it is not controlled. These Read More chemicals cause joints to become dislocated and out of alignment. The end result can be irreparable.
Though there are many theories that explain how the immune system is attacking the joint, none have been proven.
Possible risk factors
There are a variety of factors that can increase the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis for example:
Your genes are a factor - there's evidence that rheumatoid arthritis can run in families, although the risk of inheriting it is thought to be very low since genes are believed to play a small influence on the condition.
Hormones are responsible for causing arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is now more prevalent than ever before among women, perhaps because of the hormonal effects of oestrogen. Click here The link, however, has never been proven.
Smoking cigarettes - There is evidence that those who smoke are more likely develop rheumatoid arthritis.