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Autoimmune Response

Meaning

A pathological condition in which the body’s immune system, which is designed to defend against foreign invaders, mistakenly recognizes and attacks its own healthy cells, tissues, or organs, perceiving them as harmful. This misdirected, self-destructive defense mechanism results in chronic inflammation and progressive tissue damage, forming the fundamental basis of autoimmune diseases. In endocrinology, these responses frequently target and impair hormone-producing glands, such as the thyroid (Hashimoto’s) or the adrenal glands.