Autoimmune Diseases: Molecular Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Targets

Abstract

Autoimmune diseases are a set of disorders in which the immune system attacks one's own tissues, leading to chronic inflammation, tissue damage, and systemic dysfunction. Affecting approximately 10% of the global population, these diseases impose significant health and economic burdens worldwide. The pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases is complex, involving not only genetic predisposition (e.g., human leukocyte antigen variants), environmental triggers (e.g., infections), and a dysregulated immune response but also various interacting components that contribute to the development of diverse clinical phenotypes. This review provides a comprehensive overview of common autoimmune diseases, covering their clinical manifestations, pathogenic mechanisms, and diagnostic approaches such as disease-specific autoantibodies. We also explore current therapeutic strategies, including commonly used broad-spectrum anti-inflammatory drugs, recent molecular-targeted therapies (e.g., Janus kinase inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies), and emerging cellular therapies such as chimeric antigen receptor T cells therapy and regulatory T-cell adoptive transfer. Incorporating knowledge from preclinical and clinical studies, this review synthesizes relevant information to inform about autoimmune diseases, bridge the gap from lab to clinic, and promote future advances through exploring precision medicine applications to meet clinical needs.