In my previous blogs, I talked about the immune system in relation to alopecia areata and then I talked about the normal functions of T-lymphocytes.
Why is Alopecia areata considered as an autoimmune disease?
Each different cells/tissue of the body has their own "social security number" / receptors (non antigenic) and the T-lymphocytes normally identify the "social security numbers" that does not belong to the normal tissues found in one own's body and attack them. For example, the immune system, including lymphocytes is triggered to attack the foreign infectious agents and abnormal proteins found in the normal body. (Different "social security numbers" of the various pathogenic bacteria, viruses...etc)
In Alopecia Areata, the T-lymphocytes somehow identify the specific "social security number" (self antigen) of the hair follicles as foreign infectious agents/ non self and could not distinguish it for being of the part of own body and start "arresting and attacking" the hair follicles....and now the person suffers from Alopecia Areata.
Medical definition for:
Antigen- Any substances which is capable, under appropriate conditions, of inducing a specific immune response..
Self antigen- Any constituents of body's own tissue capable of stimulating a specific immune response/ autoimmunity.
(Its like the police arrest you as for being an illegal immigrant when you're actually a citizen of the country)
Joshua
(For information on Alopecia & Support, pls visit AASC-i or join Alopecia Areata Support Community)
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