autoimmune

[ aw-toh-i-myoon ]

adjective

, Immunology.

1. of or relating to the immune response of an organism against any of its own tissues, cells, or cell components.

autoimmune

/ ˌɔːtəʊɪˈmjuːn /

adjective

1. (of a disease) caused by the action of antibodies produced against substances normally present in the body

Derived Forms

• ˌautoimˈmunity, noun

Other Words From

• auto·im·muni·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of autoimmune¹

First recorded in 1950–55; auto- ¹ + immune

Example Sentences

Chemotherapy had in fact triggered an autoimmune condition, giving the impression of late-stage cancer.

From BBC

In November 2016, I developed an autoimmune condition that plagues me to this day and likely was brought on by the trauma of a Trump victory.

From Salon

They include people with autoimmune diseases, blood diseases, cancer, kidney conditions and trauma injuries.

From BBC

The former Disney Channel child star revealed in 2017 that she had undergone a kidney transplant due to lupus nephritis, where the autoimmune disease lupus causes a person’s kidneys to fail.

From Los Angeles Times

She first talked publicly about the chronic autoimmune disease in 2002 to raise awareness for others living with it.

From BBC