What is autoreactivity?

Autoreactivity is a phenomenon where an organism's immune system reacts against its own molecules or tissues, leading to an autoimmune response. This occurs when the immune system is unable to properly differentiate between self and non-self molecules and mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues. Autoreactivity can result in inflammation, tissue damage, and various autoimmune disorders. The immune system typically has mechanisms in place to prevent autoreactivity, such as immune tolerance and immune regulation, but these can sometimes fail or become dysfunctional, leading to the emergence of autoimmune diseases. Understanding the causes and mechanisms of autoreactivity is critical in developing therapies for autoimmune disorders.