Autoimmune diseases arise from an overactive immune response of the body against substances and tissues normally present in the body. The immune system mistakes some part of the body as a pathogen and attacks it. The treatment of autoimmune diseases is typically with immunosuppression-medication which decreases the immune response. This book presents and reviews important data gathered on autoimmune diseases and related topics such as: systemic lupus erythematosus and nephritis, their diagnosis and management; emerging methods in Type 1 diabetes immunomodulation; blockage of hyperproduced cytokines as a new approach for the treatment of autoimmune conditions; bone marrow transplantation methods for autoimmune/stem cell disorders; the autoimmune attack on myelin proteins which initiate Multiple Sclerosis; and others.
