The Immune System and Its Link to Rheumatic Disease
Fast Facts
- When our immune system gets confused, it can mistakenly target normal tissue causing damage and disease.
- Genetic background as well as particular environmental factors, such as smoking, can increase a patient’s risk for developing an autoimmune illness.
- Autoimmune diseases may be difficult to diagnose, and treatment choices are very complicated. A rheumatologist is specifically trained to diagnose and treat these illnesses.
- New biologic medications specifically target parts of the immune system to stop/turn off the inflammation causing damage.
- Patients treated with new biologic therapies must be carefully monitored for adverse events to help achieve a positive outcome.
Our immune system is an amazing network of cells that function from very basic to highly complex levels. The purpose of this system is to protect us from our environment and watch for any early damage in our own cells. Sometimes, however, the system goes awry and misreads signals. As a result, our defenses do not recognize our own body at work and begin “attacking” cells. This leads to illnesses called autoimmune (self-immune) diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (inflammation of the joints), systemic lupus erythematosus (commonly known as “lupus,” an inflammatory disease of connective tissue), and vasculitis (inflammation of a vessel of the body).
Frequently Asked Questions
The immune system can be divided into two components: the innate (born with) immune system and adaptive (develop through life) immune system. The innate component is the first line of defense. It reacts very quickly to fight off “foreigners” such as viruses and bacteria and identifying damaged cells. Evolutionarily it has been present for thousands of years. Cells of the innate immune system try to destroy the foreign intruders by attacking them and releasing toxic molecules. It also releases other signals to recruit more inflammatory cells to join the fight.
The adaptive component is slower to react taking several days to activate T cells, B cells, and make antibodies to fight off foreign invaders. It develops as we age and is built up by vaccines. The adaptive immune system also produces antibodies that remember the foreign invader so that it can recognize it quicker in the future.
There are times, however, when the immune system gets confused. It can no longer distinguish a “foreigner” from your own tissue. It mistakenly directs inflammation against your own tissue causing damage and disease. This damage can occur in your joints, muscles, blood vessels, kidneys, and virtually any tissue in your body. Illnesses from this type of damage are called autoimmune (self- immune) diseases. They include rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus, and vasculitis to name a few.
Patients with a genetic marker called HLA-DR4 have an increased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. This is a blood test but it is not typically run as it can be nonspecific. Some patients have this genetic marker but never develop rheumatoid arthritis. We have learned through much research that genetics are only part of the story. Environmental stimuli (such as viruses and smoking) can also influence the immune system to react in a different ways causing disease instead of protecting your body. It typically takes both the right genetic background and environmental stimuli together leading your immune system towards a diseased state.
If treatment is required, the drugs used may include corticosteroids such as cortisone as well as other drugs, such as methotrexate. These drugs suppress the immune system, so careful monitoring of side effects is essential. Only a physician experienced with these drugs and diseases should monitor the therapies.
The physician will review a combination of medical history including that of any family members with autoimmune disease, a physical exam, and the results of medical tests such as blood samples prior to making a diagnosis. This will probably include referral to a rheumatologist.
New biologic therapies are directed against the small molecules which orchestrate our own immune response. These drugs include tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNF), IL-6 inhibitors, inhibitors of T cell and B cell interaction, and others.
By using specific targeted therapy against specific messengers, we can change our immune response, both for the good and for the bad. Any change in the immune system may control the disease, but may also subject us to different risks such as infection that need to be monitored by your rheumatologist.