What characterizes auto-immunity?

Autoimmunity is characterized by the immune system's inability to distinguish between self and non-self, leading to an immune response targeting the body's own tissues, often described as the destruction of self-antigens similar to foreign antigens. In autoimmunity, the immune system mistakenly identifies these self-antigens as harmful, triggering an attack that can result in various autoimmune disorders.

This misidentification leads to chronic inflammation and tissue damage, which are hallmarks of autoimmune diseases. Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and type 1 diabetes exemplify this phenomenon, where the immune system reacts against the body's own cells and proteins.

In contrast, responses to vaccines are a healthy immune reaction that helps build immunity against pathogens without attacking self-tissues. Immune responses specifically targeting pathogens do not classify as autoimmunity, as they involve the defense against external threats rather than an attack on the body itself. Excessive production of antibodies can occur in various contexts but does not inherently indicate an autoimmune process unless those antibodies are targeting self-antigens.