Abstract

TORRES ODIO, Sylvia  and  MARTINEZ CORDOVA, Zuzet. Genetic, immunologic and environmental factors associated with autoimmunity. Rev Cubana Invest Bioméd [online]. 2011, vol.30, n.4, pp. 501-510. ISSN 0864-0300.

The autoimmunity is characterized by a loss of immunologic tolerance producing the destruction of cells and own tissues. The major complex system of histocompatibility has a close association with the autoimmune diseases although determined genes codifying for cytokines and co-stimulators molecules increase the genetic susceptibility. Concordance studies among monozygotic twins demonstrate the role of environmental factors in appearance of autoimmune diseases. Despite the scientific advances achieved in this research field, the underlying mechanisms of these affections are unknown. The objective of present paper is to expose in a summarized way the role of the genetic, immunologic and environmental factors in autoimmunity.

Keywords : Autoimmune diseases; HLA system; central and peripheral tolerance.

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