Auto-immune system

The immune system can malfunction either by attacking itself or the body (which happens in auto-immune diseases such as multiple sclerosis) or by being weakened itself in some way (such as what occurs as a result of the AIDS virus). 

Striking clinical results have been reported in inflammatory and auto-immune diseases, although in a somewhat limited number of cases . A low molecular mass chromosome-breaking agent was identified in the serum of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. The chromosome aberrations in cultures of normal lymphocytes in the presence of this factor were reduced to normal values by the addition of BESOD to the culture medium... 

THC is a new miracle medication, used to treat sleep disorders, inflammatory diseases, auto immune disorders, migraines, addictions, post traumatic stress disorder, etc. The discoYery of its endogenous ligand, anandamide (a fatty acid amide) has revolutionized the investigation of this new neurotransmitter system. Fatty acid amides are easily prepared from commonly available grocery store oils. 

Tolerance to self-antigens is learned by the immune system, not inherited as self-nonself discrimination (Bretscher and Cohn, 1970). Auto-antibodies against a large number of self-antigens may occur in sera of normal individuals. Their levels can be raised by stimulation with polyclonal B-cell mitogens. 

In conclusion, although hexachlorobenzene induces an auto-immune-like disorder in humans and rats, neoantigen formation and direct elicitation of autoreactive T cells are probably not involved. Rather, hexachlorobenzene, by activation of inflammatory cells such as macrophages, exacerbates autoimmunity above a level at which autoimmune phenomena and systemic inflammatory responses become apparent. This cascade of reactions is depicted in Figure 2 and illustrates the complexity of the etiology of immune derangements induced by hexachlorobenzene. 

An autoimmune disease occurs when the body s immune system beoomes misdirected and attacks the organs ( auto means seif ), ceiis, or tissues that it was designed to proteot. About 75% of autoimmune diseases ooour in women, most often during their ohiidbearing years. 

---