International Conference on Autoimmunity October 13-14, 2016 Manchester, UK

Autoimmunity is the system of immune responses of an organism against its own cells and tissues. Any disease that results from such an aberrant immune response is termed an autoimmune disease. Prominent examples include Celiac disease, diabetes mellitus type 1, Sarcoidosis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Sjögren's syndrome, Churg-Strauss Syndrome, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Graves' disease, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, Addison's Disease, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Polymyositis (PM), and Dermatomyositis (DM). Autoimmune diseases are very often treated with steroids.The misconception that an individual's immune system is totally incapable of recognizing self antigens is not new, where in a "normal" body does not mount an immune response against its own tissues.

Hypersensitivity is a set of undesirable reactions produced by the normal immune system, including allergies and autoimmunity. These reactions may be damaging, uncomfortable, or occasionally fatal. Hypersensitivity reactions require a pre-sensitized state of the host. Hypersensitivity is abnormal or pathologic immune reaction that is caused by an immune response to repeated exposure to an antigen. Hypersensitivity diseases include autoimmune diseases, in which immune responses are directed against self-antigens, and that result from uncontrolled or excessive responses to foreign antigens. Many of the autoimmune diseases have a hypersensitivity reaction as part of their pathogenesis these diseases include hay fever, food allergies, atopic dermatitis, allergic asthma, and anaphylaxis.

Treatments for autoimmune disease have traditionally been immunosuppressive, anti-inflammatory, or palliative.Managing inflammation is critical in autoimmune diseases.Non-immunological therapies, such as hormone replacement in Hashimoto's thyroiditis or Type 1 diabetes mellitus treat outcomes of the autoaggressive response, thus these are palliative treatments. Dietary manipulation limits the severity of celiac disease. Steroidal or NSAID treatment limits inflammatory response of many diseases. IVIG is used for CIDP and GBS. Specific immunomodulatory therapies, such as the TNFα antagonists, the B cell depleting agent rituximab, the anti-IL-6 receptor tocilizumab and the costimulation blocker abatacept have been shown to be useful in treating RA. Some of these immunotherapies may be associated with increased risk of adverse effects, such as susceptibility to infection. Helminthic therapy is an experimental approach that involves inoculation of the patient with specific parasitic intestinal nematodes (helminths). There are currently two closely related treatments available, inoculation with either Necator americanus, commonly known as hookworms, or Trichuris Suis Ova, commonly known as Pig Whipworm Eggs. T cell vaccination is also being explored as a possible future therapy for autoimmune disorders. 

Many autoimmune disorders are passed down from parents to children, Clinical and epidemiologic evidence as well as data from experimental animals demonstrate that a tendency to develop autoimmune disease is inherited. This tendency may be large or small depending on the disease but, in general, close relatives are more likely to develop the same or a related autoimmune disease. A number or genes have been implicated in causing autoimmune disease, primarily genes related to the human major histocompatibility complex called HLA. Sometimes environmental factors acting with the genetic predisposition of the patient are responsible for triggering autoimmune disease .A few such triggers have been identified, including a number of drugs, family clustering, certain environmental substances and dietary substances

Cytokines play prominent roles in inflammation and many diseases, cytokines hold incredible promise as therapeutics and as therapeutic targets. But progress has been at turtle speeds. Most cytokines have so many functions that taming them to one task is a formidable challenge. Only a few cytokines with relatively narrow functions have passed through Food and Drug Administration approval processes and emerged as prescription drugs.Scientists discover new cytokines, sequence and clone them, and study their functions. Another level of research is using cytokines to explore the immune system and tease apart the interplay of the various cytokines. Here again, confusion reigns. Whether a particular cytokine stimulates or inhibits the growth of a particular cell type.

The majority of people living with autoimmune disorders are women, usually those who are of childbearing age. In fact, autoimmune diseases are among the leading causes of death and disability in girls and women 65 years of age and younger.There are many different types of autoimmune diseases, which occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own organs and tissues. The majority of these diseases are far more common in women than in men — an estimated 75 percent of those living with autoimmune diseases are female. Immune systems tend to be more sophisticated then men's, because Women naturally have stronger inflammatory responses than men when their immune systems are triggered, and inflammation plays a key role in many autoimmune diseases, or hormonal differences. Two X chromosomes in contrast to men’s X and Y chromosome, after a pregnancy or fatal cells can remain in circulation in a woman's body for years. 

Pathophysiology is the physiological processes whereby the functional changes associated which resulting from a particular disease. T-Cell Bypass – A normal immune system requires the activation of B-cells by T-cells before the former can undergo differentiation into plasma B-cells and subsequently produce antibodies in large quantities.T-Cell-B-Cell discordance – A normal immune response is assumed to involve B and T cell responses to the same antigen, even if we know that B cells and T cells recognise very different things: conformations on the surface of a molecule for B cells and pre-processed peptide fragments of proteins for T cells. Molecular Mimicry – An exogenous antigen may share structural similarities with certain host antigens; thus, any antibody produced against this antigen (which mimics the self-antigens) can also, in theory, bind to the host antigens, and amplify the immune response. Idiotype Cross-Reaction – Idiotypes are antigenic epitopes found in the antigen-binding portion (Fab) of the immunoglobulin molecule. Epitope spreading or epitope drift – when the immune responses changes from targeting the primary epitope to also targeting other epitopes.

Cancers are a large family of diseases that involve abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. A tumor is a group of cells that have undergone unregulated growth, Cancer, also known as a malignant tumor or malignant, is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. Not all tumors are cancerous; benign tumor does not spread to other parts of the body. Possible signs and symptoms include: a new lump, abnormal bleeding, a prolonged cough, unexplained weight loss, and a change in bowel movements among others. The development of cancer and autoimmunity can be seen as a failure of the immune system to control tumour cell growth and to regulate Auto reactive responses, autoimmunity and host anti-microbial immunity are inextricably linked, as effector responses that cause inflammatory tissue damage are the same ones that mediate effective host defence.

Bioinformatics is the application of computer technology to the management of biological information. Computers are used to gather, store, analyze and integrate biological and genetic information which can then be applied to gene-based drug discovery and development.Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary field that develops methods and software tools for understanding biological data. As an interdisciplinary field of science, bioinformatics combines computer science, statistics, mathematics, and engineering to analyze and interpret biological data. Bioinformatics is both an umbrella term for the body of biological studies that use computer programming as part of their methodology, as well as a reference to specific analysis "pipelines" that are repeatedly used, particularly in the fields of genetics and genomics. Common uses of bioinformatics database  include the identification of candidate genes and nucleotides (SNPs). Often, such identification is made with the aim of better understanding the genetic basis of disease, unique adaptations, desirable properties (esp. in agricultural species), or differences between populations. In a less formal way, bioinformatics also tries to understand the organisational principles within nucleic acid and protein sequences.

More than 10,0000 patients have receive Transplantation as treatment for severe autoimmune disease. Transplantation has been used as a treatment for severe and therapy-refractory for autoimmune diseases. In the Transplant replace the recipient's damaged or absent organ by  donor, but because of  auto host immune system  failure of transplantation and graft-versus-autoimmunity seen in patient,

Antibody Genetic Engineering & Therapeutics meeting brought together a broad range of participants who were updated on the latest advances in antibody research and development. Organized by IBC Life Sciences, the gathering is the annual meeting of The Antibody Society, which serves as the scientific sponsor. Preconference workshops on 3D modeling and delineation of clonal lineages were featured, and the conference included sessions on a wide variety of topics relevant to researchers, including systems biology; antibody deep sequencing and repertoires; the effects of antibody gene variation and usage on antibody response; directed evolution; knowledge-based design; antibodies in a complex environment; polyreactive antibodies and polyspecificity; the interface between antibody therapy and cellular immunity in cancer; antibodies in cardiometabolic medicine; antibody pharmacokinetics, distribution and off-target toxicity; optimizing antibody formats for immunotherapy; polyclonals, oligoclonals and bispecifics; antibody discovery platforms; and antibody-drug conjugates. 

Metabolism and pathogen defense are essential requirements for survival. Mounting an immune response requires major changes to metabolic processes by the immune mediators. Immunometabolism the integration of central metabolic pathways and nutrient sensing with antibacterial immunity has revealed that altered cellular energy homeostasis is positioned to contribute to the prevention or resolution of infectious diseases. Inflammasomes appear to be the key regulators of metabolic inflammation by acting as metabolic danger sensors. Cytokines may have an important role in mediating the effects of chronic inflammation in target tissues, the metabolic consequences of specific ‘inflammatory’ mediators.

The immune system is a system of many biological structures and processes within an organism that protects against disease. To function properly, an immune system must detect a wide variety of agents, known as pathogens, from viruses to parasitic worms, and distinguish them from the organism's own healthy tissue. In many species, the immune system can be classified into subsystems, such as the innate immune system versus the adaptive immune system, or humeral immunity versus cell-mediated immunity. The immune system can result in autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases and cancer. Immunodeficiency occurs when the immune system is less active than normal, resulting in recurring and life-threatening infections.

Immunodeficiency is a state in which the immune system's ability to fight infectious disease is compromised or entirely absent. Immunodeficiency may also decrease cancer immunosurveillance. Most cases of immunodeficiency are acquired  but some people are born with defects in their immune system, or primary immunodeficiency. Transplant patients take medications to suppress their immune system as an anti-rejection measure, as do some patients suffering from an over-active immune system. A person who has an immunodeficiency of any kind is said to be immunocompromised. Animmunocompromised person may be particularly vulnerable to opportunistic infections, in addition to normal infections that could affect everyone. There are a large number of immunodeficiency syndromes that present clinical and laboratory characteristics of autoimmunity. The decreased ability of the immune system to clear infections in these patients may be responsible for causing autoimmunity through perpetual immune system activation.

Ayurveda, which means the science of life, Ayurveda is an ancient medical science .Ayurvedic medicine is a system of herbal medicine with historical roots in the Indian subcontinent. Globalized and modernized practices derived from Ayurvedic traditions practiced outside South Asia are a type of alternative medicine. In medieval taxonomies of the Sanskrit knowledge systems, to maintain health as well as fighting illness through advance therapies, massages, herbal medicines, diet control and exercise, Now a days Ayurveda is hot topic for  research and development  for deferent  Ayurvedic  treatment. The treatments and therapies are offered including basic massages, Pizhichil, Njavarakizhi, Sirodhara, Vasthi, Sirovasthi, Udvarthanam, Abhyangam, Nasyam, Thalam etc. Yoga enhances wellbeing of the body and mind.

Particular viruses, bacteria and other infectious pathogens are the major postulated environmental triggers of autoimmunity. The pathogen may carry elements that are similar enough in amino acid sequence or structure to self-antigen that the pathogen acts as a  ‘molecular mimicry’, T or B cells that are activated in response to the pathogen are also cross-reactive to self and lead to direct damage and further activation of other arms of the immune system. The pathogen may also lead to disease via epitope spreading. In this model the immune response to a persisting pathogen, or direct lysis by the persisting pathogen, causes damage to self-tissue. Persistent viral infections can lead to immune-mediated injury due to the constant presence of viral antigen driving the immune response or Virus-Host Interactions,

Nutrition is the science that interprets the interaction of nutrients and other substances in food, in relation to maintenance, growth, reproduction, health and disease of an organism. It includes food intake, absorption, assimilation, biosynthesis, catabolism and excretion. The diet of an organism is what it eats, which is largely determined by the availability, the processing and palatability of foods. A healthy diet includes preparation of food and storage methods that preserve nutrients from oxidation catalysis, heat or leaching, and that reduce risk of food-born illnesses. Some drugs can interact with specific nutrients, such as folic acid and vitamin B12. In addition, alterations in energy and protein metabolism that lead to muscle loss and wasting may occur in some autoimmune diseases    . The nutritional management of autoimmune diseases usually emphasizes controlling pain and inflammation, slowing the progression of the disease, and boosting the immune system. And a few promising foods and nutrients are emerging as potentially beneficial.

The global market for autoimmune treatments reached at $34 billion in 2010, it is expected to reach at $38.9 billion by 2011 and it will further grow to $55 billion by 2016 at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.2%. The global market value for autoimmune disease diagnostics for 2013 was valued at $11.9 billion. This is expected to reach about $12.1 billion in 2014 and $13.1 billion in 2019, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.6% for the five-year period, 2014 to 2019. SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Dec 16, 2014 - Global autoimmune disease diagnostics market is expected to reach USD 14.17 billion by 2020, Over 300 million patients across the globe suffer from these disorders. There are around 80 autoimmune diseases; and the cause of these remains unknown. Women constitute around 70%-75% of all autoimmune patients.

The major initial criteria used to determine whether autoimmune disease treatments are effective are a review of the patient’s signs and symptoms, along with any pertinent labs.  Examining the patient’s symptom profile and lab results, and comparing these indicators to previous visits, will allow the physician to determine if and how well current therapies are working.  Depending on the individual situation, recent evidence indicates that the pre-clinical stages of autoimmune diseases involve a series of immunologic derangements and that this process is dynamic and progressive. During the years preceding clinical disease onset, there is progressive intensification in the humoral autoimmune response, characterized by increases in autoantibody titer, avidity, number of immunoglobulin isotypes, and spread of epitopes and of autoantigens targeted. This scenario is reminiscent of cancer processes that develop slowly by means of progressive stages, and may be interrupted by early detection and therapeutic intervention. Therefore, it might be reasoned that early intervention may be more effective in reverting the less firmly established autoimmune abnormalities at the pre-clinical stage of autoimmunity.

Neuroimmunology is a field combining neuroscience, the study of the nervous system, and immunology, the study of the immune system. Neuroimmunology is a field combining neuroscience, the study of the nervous system, and immunology, the study of the immune system. Neuroimmunologists seek to better understand the interactions of these two complex systems during development, homeostasis, and response to injuries. A long-term goal of this rapidly developing research area is to further develop our understanding of the pathology of certain neurological diseases, some of which have no clear etiology. In doing so, neuroimmunology contributes to development of new pharmacological treatments for several neurological conditions. Many types of interactions involve both the nervous and immune systems including but not limited to the physiological functioning of the two systems in both health and disease, malfunction of either and or both systems that leads to disorders, and the physical, chemical, and environmental stressors that affect the two systems on a daily basis.

Immunological tolerance describes a state of unresponsiveness of the immune system to substances or tissue that has the capacity to elicit an immune response. It contrasts with conventional immune-mediated elimination of foreign antigens. Tolerance is classified into central tolerance or peripheral tolerance. Immune tolerance is important for normal physiology. Central tolerance is the main way the immune system learns to discriminate self from non-self. Peripheral tolerance is key to preventing over-reactivity of the immune system to various environmental entities. Deficits in central or peripheral tolerance also cause autoimmune disease, Tolerance, however, also has its negative tradeoffs. It allows for some pathogenic microbes to successfully infect a host and avoid elimination.In addition, inducing peripheral tolerance in the local microenvironment is a common survival strategy for a number of tumors that prevents their elimination by the host immune system.