Autoimmune Diseases

Autoimmune Diseases Studied by NIAID

Scanning electron micrograph of a human lymphocyte. Credit: National Cancer Institute

NIAID supports a broad range of basic and clinical research on autoimmunity. Basic research focuses on understanding the genetics of autoimmunity, examining how and why the immune system begins to attack the body, and developing approaches to stop immune-mediated tissue destruction. Knowledge gained from basic research helps inform new experimental methods of diagnosis, prevention, and treatment, which are then evaluated in clinical studies.

Major autoimmune diseases studied by NIAID include the following:

• Autoimmune Lymphoproliferative Syndrome (ALPS)
• Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) (information from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
• Lupus
• Multiple Sclerosis (overview from the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke)
• Rheumatoid Arthritis (overview from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)
• Scleroderma (overview from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)
• Type 1 Diabetes (overview from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)