autoimmune

adjective

au·to·im·mune | \ -im-ˈyün

Definition of autoimmune

: of, relating to, or caused by autoantibodies or T cells that attack molecules, cells, or tissues of the organism producing them autoimmune diseases

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Other Words from autoimmune

autoimmunity \ -ˈyü-nə-tē

\ noun

autoimmunization \ -ˌim-yə-nə-ˈzā-shən

also -im-ˌyü- \ noun

Did You Know?

Any healthy body produces a variety of antibodies, proteins in the blood whose job is to protect the body from unwanted bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells. The cells and organs that deal with such infections make up the immune system. In some people and animals, for various reasons, the antibodies become overactive and turn on the body's healthy tissues as well; the result is an autoimmune disease—an immune response directed against one's own self. More than eighty autoimmune diseases have been identified, the best-known being type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Examples of autoimmune in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This could explain the higher incidence of autoimmune disease in women, the researchers argue. — Viviane Callier, BostonGlobe.com, "How gender makes a difference in disease," 30 Aug. 2019 Bobo hobbled along the sideline last season with numbness in his feet caused by an autoimmune disease. — Pat Graham, The Denver Post, "Mike Bobo banks on raise in play after turning down raise in pay," 23 Aug. 2019 The repentant mogul has already published one book in 2017 about his time in the nick and his autoimmune disease. — The Economist, "Thomas Middelhoff reflects on failure in German business," 22 Aug. 2019 Before February 2018, when his son overdosed on fentanyl, Gary Carter thought the worst was over after a yearslong habit of self-medicating to soothe recovery from knee surgeries and flare-ups of an autoimmune disease. — Alison Kuznitz, BostonGlobe.com, "‘These are all people’s children’: Protesters remember addiction victims as Purdue Pharma seeks to dismiss Mass. lawsuit," 2 Aug. 2019 Stephanie suffered from lupus but according to her son, the autoimmune disease was under control. — CBS News, "Hospitals mobilize to fight deadly superbug doctors call a "double whammy"," 30 July 2019 Epilepsy can also be caused by traumatic brain injury, infection, fevers and autoimmune disease, known as acquired epilepsy. — Isabel Derera, The Conversation, "CBD and genetic testing provide hope for ‘intractable’ epilepsy in children," 25 July 2019 Zika causes fever in adults and may trigger Guillain-Barré syndrome, an autoimmune disease of the nervous system. — The Economist, "Armed with smartphones, Colombians are taking on the local mozzies," 4 July 2019 For example, infusion medicines used for cancer or autoimmune diseases that are administered in medical offices would not be available to import from Canada under the programs the states are setting up. — Kaiser Health News, oregonlive.com, "These 3 states plan to import prescription medications from Canada; will more follow?," 29 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'autoimmune.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for autoimmune

autoimmune

adjective

au·to·im·mune | \ -im-ˈyün

Medical Definition of autoimmune

: of, relating to, or caused by antibodies or T cells that attack molecules, cells, or tissues of the organism producing them autoimmune diseases

autoimmune

Definition of autoimmune

Other Words from autoimmune

Did You Know?

Examples of autoimmune in a Sentence

First Known Use of autoimmune

Medical Definition of autoimmune

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