Autoimmune diseases are a group of disorders where the body's immune system malfunctions and attacks its own tissues. One aspect of these diseases is the formation of antibodies that are directed to self-antigens (autoantibodies). Autoimmune diseases can be divided into two general groups:
- Organ specific, where the autoantibodies attack a specific organ, and
- Non-organ specific (or systemic), where the autoantibodies attack multiple organ systems.
An example of an organ specific autoimmune disease is Hashimoto thyroiditis where autoantibodies damage the thyroid gland. An example of a systemic autoimmune disease is systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) where the autoantibodies may attack any organ in the body.
