Allergy and autoimmunity: parallels and dissimilarity: the yin and yang of immunopathology.
The etiopathogenesis of allergy and autoimmune diseases is caused by genetic and acquired (environmental) factors, which might be common to both immunopathologies. Genetic factors play an important role in the development and process of immunopathological diseases. Several studies suggest a close relation between gene polymorphism of HLA and cytokines and development of autoimmunity and allergy. Certain gene polymorphisms act as risk or as protective factors. The infection also plays an important role in the induction of allergy and autoimmunity--as a trigger or as a protective factor. Moreover, similar clinical manifestations of both immunopathologies could result in diagnostic problems. This review summarizes the linkage of mechanisms of etiopathogenesis, clinical manifestations and therapeutic strategy between allergic and autoimmune diseases.
Department of Immunology, 2nd Medical Faculty, Charles University of Prague, University Hospital Motol, V Uvalu 84, 150 06 Prague 5, Czech Republic. jirina.bartunkova@lfmotol.cuni.cz
Jirina
J
Bartůnková
Jana
J
Kayserová
Yehuda
Y
Shoenfeld
D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic
D016207:Cytokines; D006680:HLA Antigens