#Autoimmunity

[thelupuslady]

[1000rh]

We know that there is no such thing as a ‘Self’ that is unproblematic or a permanent given. A large number of diverse philosophers and philosophical traditions have challenged the very concept of the Self; literary traditions and the biological humanities have explored the way that ‘I contain multitudes’; more than enough critically minded psychotherapists have suggested that the Self is always already divided; more than enough microbiologists have pointed out that the sum total of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, archaea, viruses and other organisms within each of us constitutes genetic material that far surpasses our ‘own’, to the extent that the body which we take to be integral to Self is itself ‘but a fiction of a self’. This is symbiosis, which includes living with parasites, amid parasites, and as parasites to each other […]. In other words, we all know that the life (and death) of any given Self is always already implicated in the lives of other Selves; that ‘Selves’, like bodies, do not pre-exist as such but materialize in social interaction; that in a social system constituted through perpetual transformation, permanent revolution and human alienation, in which ‘all that is solid melts into air’ (to use Marx’s phrase), there can be no stable Self; that Selves are formed through a variety of ‘political technologies of the self’ (as Foucault calls them), from schools to hospitals, prisons to asylums, bureaucracies to armies, as well as therapeutic and medical interventions.

– Mark Neocleous, The Politics of Immunity (2022)

[cripcoin]

ArthrImmusyc

An Immusyc term related to one's arthritis, whatever type/form one may have, affecting one's immune system in some way

Made with Immunol compromised/autoimmune arthritic conditions in mind such as rheumatoid, psoriatic, scleroderma, lupus, ankylosing spondylitis, gout and more.

Many people may have an undiagnosed arthritic condition and be autoimmune, this term is meant to encompass these people as well.

Tagging:

@sanguinaryfreaks , @hewasanamericangirl and @the-church-of-strabismus

This flag is meant for personal use, commercial use is not permitted.

Do not re-upload my flags anywhere, do not claim as your own etc.

[bydayiamnothingandbynightiami]

Malina: What is life? Me: Whatever can’t be lived.

I am writing with my burnt hand about the nature of fire

[science-sculpt]

The T Cell Landscape

T cells, a critical component of the adaptive immune system, stand as the body's elite force in combatting infections and diseases. These specialized lymphocytes boast remarkable diversity, each type playing a distinct role in orchestrating a targeted and effective immune response.

T cells, like all blood cells, originate from hematopoietic stem cells residing in the bone marrow. However, their training ground lies within the thymus, a specialized organ located in the chest. Here, they undergo a rigorous selection process known as thymocyte education. During this process, immature T cells, called thymocytes, are presented with self-antigens (molecules unique to the body) by special cells. Thymocytes that bind too strongly to these self-antigens are eliminated, preventing them from attacking healthy tissues later. Only thymocytes that demonstrate the ability to recognize foreign invaders while exhibiting tolerance to self are released into the bloodstream as mature T cells.

Following this rigorous training, mature T cells exit the thymus and embark on their patrol, circulating throughout the bloodstream and lymphatic system. They remain vigilant, constantly scanning for their specific targets – antigens. Antigens are foreign molecules, such as fragments of viruses, bacteria, or even cancerous cells, that trigger the immune response.

The hallmark of a T cell is its T cell receptor (TCR), a highly specialized protein complex embedded on its surface. This receptor acts like a lock, uniquely shaped to fit a specific antigen, the "key." Each T cell develops a unique TCR capable of recognizing only a single antigen, enabling a highly specific immune response.

But how do T cells encounter these hidden antigens lurking within infected or cancerous cells? This critical role is played by antigen-presenting cells (APCs). APCs, such as macrophages and dendritic cells, engulf pathogens or abnormal cells, break them down into smaller fragments (peptides), and present them on their surface complexed with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. MHC molecules act as identification tags, allowing T cells to distinguish between "self" and "non-self." When a T cell's TCR encounters its specific antigen bound to an MHC molecule on an APC, a dance of activation begins. The T cell becomes stimulated, and a cascade of signaling events is triggered. This leads to the T cell's proliferation, producing an army of clones specifically tailored to combat the recognized threat.

T cells are not a single, monolithic entity. They comprise a diverse population, each type with a specialized function:

Helper T Cells (Th Cells):

Helper T cells, often abbreviated as Th cells, play a central role in coordinating immune responses. They express the CD4 surface marker and can recognize antigens presented by major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II) molecules. Subtypes of helper T cells include Th1, Th2, Th17, and regulatory T cells (Tregs), each with distinct functions and cytokine profiles.

Th1 cells mediate cellular immunity by activating macrophages and cytotoxic T cells, crucial for defense against intracellular pathogens.

Th2 cells are involved in humoral immunity, promoting B cell activation and antibody production, thus aiding in defense against extracellular parasites.

Th17 cells contribute to the immune response against extracellular bacteria and fungi, producing pro-inflammatory cytokines. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) maintain immune tolerance and prevent autoimmunity by suppressing excessive immune responses.

Cytotoxic T Cells (Tc Cells):

Cytotoxic T cells, also known as Tc cells or CD8+ T cells, are effector cells responsible for directly killing infected or aberrant cells. They recognize antigens presented by MHC class I molecules on the surface of target cells. Upon activation, cytotoxic T cells release perforin and granzymes, inducing apoptosis in target cells and eliminating the threat.

Memory T Cells:

Memory T cells are a long-lived subset of T cells that persist after the clearance of an infection. They provide rapid and enhanced immune responses upon re-exposure to the same antigen, conferring immunological memory. Memory T cells can be either central memory T cells (TCM), residing in lymphoid organs, or effector memory T cells (TEM), circulating in peripheral tissues.

γδ T Cells:

Unlike conventional αβ T cells, γδ T cells express a distinct T cell receptor (TCR) composed of γ and δ chains. They recognize non-peptide antigens, such as lipids and metabolites, and are involved in immune surveillance at epithelial barriers and responses to stress signals.

Beyond the Battlefield: The Expanding Roles of T Cells: The remarkable capabilities of T cells have opened doors for several groundbreaking applications in medicine:

Vaccines: By presenting weakened or inactivated forms of pathogens, vaccines "train" the immune system to generate memory T cells. This prepares the body to recognize and rapidly eliminate the real pathogen upon future exposure, preventing disease.

Cancer immunotherapy: CAR T-cell therapy, a revolutionary approach, genetically engineers a patient's own T cells to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that recognize and target specific cancer cells. These "supercharged" T cells are then reintroduced into the patient, unleashing a potent attack against the tumor.

Autoimmune disease treatment: Researchers are exploring ways to manipulate T cells to suppress harmful immune responses that underlie autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.

The diverse array of T cells underscores the immune system's complexity and adaptability in mounting tailored responses against a myriad of threats. From orchestrating immune reactions to maintaining tolerance and establishing long-term immunity, T cells play multifaceted roles in safeguarding the body's health. Understanding the intricacies of T cell biology not only sheds light on immune-mediated diseases but also paves the way for developing novel therapeutic strategies harnessing the power of the immune system.

T cells represent a fascinating aspect of immunology, with their diversity and specificity driving the complexity of immune responses. As research advances, further insights into T cell biology promise to revolutionize immunotherapy and enhance our ability to combat diseases ranging from infections to cancer. By understanding and harnessing their power, we can unlock new avenues for protecting and improving human health.

[biology-geology-beaches-india]

The Science Research Notebooks of S. Sunkavally, p431.

[the-diabolic-acid]

[severeprincesheep]

Mikhaila Peterson Reports Back After 5 Years on Carnivore Diet

[disabledsysboxes]

Autoimmune - 6

[brightlythriveblogs]

Which autoimmune archetype are you? 🤔

Find out your autoimmune profile by taking our short quiz here: https://brightlythrive.com/take-our-quiz/

[thelupuslady]

[longhaulerbear]

Several of the most prevalent new-onset autoantibodies have, to our knowledge, not been described previously, including the three with the highest prevalence, i.e., anti-CCDC63 (coiled-coil domain-containing protein 63), anti-TRIM63 (E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase TRIM63), and anti-SNURF (SNRPN upstream reading frame protein)

[1000rh]

Because immunity was imagined as security, the idea that the system could actually harm the very thing it was expected to secure was essentially unimaginable. After all, is not security always a good thing? Just as people like to imagine that a security system would never turn against its own body politic, maim it and destroy it, so for many years people found it hard to believe that the system designed to protect and defend the body could also turn against that body, maim it and eventually destroy it. No one wanted to believe that the System could turn against the Self. If the immune system is the main thing standing between us and a plethora of microbial predators looking to wipe us out, then what do we do when that same system appears to be sending us to an ugly and early death?

– Mark Neocleous, The Politics of Immunity (2022)

[gancanagh]

...Some people know me as hope...

So cower at the man I've become when I sing from the top of my lungs

That I won't retire, I'll stand in your fire, inspire the meek to be strong

And when I am gone, I will rise in the music that I left behind

Ferocious, persistent, immortal like you, we’re a coin with two different sides