title: The nature and nurture of common autoimmunity.
abstract: Autoimmune diseases are a heterogeneous group of disorders where multiple alterations in the immune system result in a spectrum of syndromes that either target specific organs or affect the body systematically. Although their heterogeneity is due to a collection of diverse conditions based on epidemiology, pathology, or diagnostic criteria, the underlying immunogenetic mechanism might be similar. Herein the nature and nurture of autoimmune diseases considered as a trait are reviewed, and a discussion is given on their multifactorial characteristics.
authors.affiliation: Cellular Biology and Immunogenetics Unit, Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas, Medellín, Colombia.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Castiblanco
authors.forename: Juan-Manuel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Anaya
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000276:immunology*; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D006801:Humans; D018448:Models, Immunological