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Autoimmunity and allergy

The adaptive immune system with its T-cells and antibody-producing B-cells changes throughout your entire life. In addition, we have a range of innate or native defence factors ready to quickly repel threats from the environment.

Astma och allergi Foto: istockPhoto credit: Rob Hainer
In autoimmune diseases, the immune system tries to neutralize or eliminate the body's own cells or tissues. Symptoms then arise as a consequence of inflammation and/or a decline in cell or organ function. Examples of autoimmune diseases are certain rheumatic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus), hormonal diseases such as diabetes and goiter, and neurological diseases such as MS (multiple sclerosis).
 
Allergies in everyday speech most often mean “Type I allergies” (atopic allergies) where IgE antibodies are aimed at certain foodstuffs, pollen, cat dander, et cetera. When a person with such an allergy is exposed to these substances (allergens), symptoms arise, for example in the form of runny eyes/nose (‘hayfever’), rash (urticaria) or asthma. Autoimmune diseases and allergies are, as a rule, chronic conditions, which can cause significant impairment of function and can sometimes be life-threatening. Even if these conditions can now often be partially treated due to advances in immunology and inflammation medicine, much research remains before we can gain full understanding of the underlying mechanisms and obtain cures.

News

Close-up of baby belly.

Autism and ADHD are linked to disturbed gut flora very early in life

Disturbed gut flora during the first years of life is associated with diagnoses such as autism and ADHD later in life. This is according to a study led by researchers at the University of Florida and LiU and published in the journal Cell.
young woman in a wheelchair.

Severe MS predicted using machine learning

A combination of only 11 proteins can predict long-term disability outcomes in multiple sclerosis (MS) for different individuals. The proteins could be used to tailor treatments to the individual based on the expected severity of the disease.
Older man engaged in a discussion.

Gut flora disrupted many years before onset of child rheumatism

A study by researchers from LiU and the University of Florida is the first study to point to the role of early life gut flora in developing child rheumatism, the cause of which is not yet known.

Research

A researcher is working in a lab.

Ingrid Asp Psoriasis Research Center

Our research program has been made possible by a generous donation from the Ingrid Asp Foundation. Our ultimate goal is to obtain an improved understanding of the pathogenesis of psoriasis and to find new modalities for its therapy.
A researcher is working in a lab.

Experimental and Clinical Studies of Psoriasis

We are studying the pathogenesis of the disease in experimental systems using broad cell biological techniques. Special interest is devoted to psoriasin which is a small protein...
Blood samples for allergy research.

Strategies to combat the allergy epidemic: Can we predict and prevent childhood allergies?

Childhood immune maturation and allergy development: Epigenetic regulation by maternal immunity and microbial exposure during pregnancy.

Research center

A researcher is working in a lab.

Ingrid Asp Psoriasis Research Center

Our research program has been made possible by a generous donation from the Ingrid Asp Foundation. Our ultimate goal is to obtain an improved understanding of the pathogenesis of psoriasis and to find new modalities for its therapy.

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