Bay Biosciences provides high-quality, fresh frozen biopsy tissue samples. FFPE tissue blocks with matched fresh frozen sera (serum), plasma, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) bio-fluids from patients diagnosed with autoimmune disease.
The sera (serum), plasma and PBMC biofluid specimens are processed from autoimmune disease patient’s peripheral whole-blood using customized collection and processing protocols.
Fresh frozen tissue and matched biofluid samples are collected from unique patients diagnosed with autoimmune disease.
Bio-samples are provided to a valued pharmaceutical customer for research, diagnostics, discovery and drug development.
Autoimmune Disease Overview
Autoimmune disease is a condition in which the body recognizes its own tissues as foreign and directs an immune response against them.
The immune system is a complex organization of tissue and cells within the body that is designed normally to “seek and destroy” invaders of the body, including infectious agents. Patients with autoimmune diseases frequently have unusual antibodies circulating in their blood that target their own body tissues.
Autoimmune diseases are more frequent in women than in men. It is felt that the estrogen of females may influence the immune system to predispose some women to autoimmune diseases. Furthermore, the presence of one autoimmune disease increases the chance for developing another simultaneous autoimmune disease.
Autoimmune diseases can affect almost every body part or system. There are more than 80 of these conditions, and some are more common than others.
Some of the common examples of autoimmune diseases include; Addison’s Disease, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Sjögren’s Syndrome, Pernicious Anemia, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, Polymyositis, Scleroderma, vitiligo, glomerulonephritis, Pulmonary Fibrosis and (type-1) diabetes.
Researchers do not know the causes of many autoimmune conditions, but genetic factors, past infections, and environmental factors can affect their development. Long-term treatments aim to reduce the strength of immune responses. Treatments are available for many autoimmune diseases, but cures have yet to be discovered.
Reason for Immune System Attacking Itself
Researchers aren’t sure why autoimmune disease develops in the first place or why women are affected more than men. One theory is that higher levels of hormones in women, especially during the childbearing years, could make women more susceptible to autoimmune diseases.
According to a research study women get autoimmune diseases at a rate of about 2 to 1 compared to men, 6.4 percent of women vs. 2.7 percent of men. Often the disease starts during a woman’s childbearing years between ages 15 to 44.
There are many factors that affect autoimmunity, both genetic and environmental. Researchers cannot definitively explain why women develop these diseases more than men do.
Some autoimmune diseases are more common in certain ethnic groups. For example, lupus affects more African-American and Hispanic patients than Caucasians.
Certain autoimmune diseases, like multiple sclerosis and lupus, run in families. Not every family member will necessarily have the same disease, but they inherit a susceptibility to an autoimmune condition.
Because the incidence of autoimmune diseases is rising, researchers suspect environmental factors like infections and exposure to chemicals or solvents might also be involved.
Being on a “Western Diet” is another suspected risk factor for developing an autoimmune disease. Consuming high-fat, high-sugar, and highly processed foods is linked to inflammation, which might set off an immune response, however, this hasn’t been proven.
Another study focused on another theory called the hygiene hypothesis. Because of vaccines and antiseptics, children today aren’t exposed to as many germs as they were in the past. The lack of exposure could make their immune system prone to overreact to harmless substances.
Role of Infection and Diseases
When the body senses danger from a virus or infection, the immune system kicks into gear and attacks it. This is called an immune response. Sometimes, healthy cells and tissues are caught up in this response, resulting in autoimmune disease.
Researchers think this is what causes rheumatoid arthritis, a type of autoimmune disease that attacks the joints. It’s also common that after having strep throat, people develop psoriasis, an autoimmune condition that causes patches of thick, scaly skin.
Damage Theory
Scientists think injury may play a role in some types of autoimmune disease such as psoriatic arthritis, a condition that affects the joints of some people with psoriasis.
Research has shown that in parts of the body subjected to high stress, an autoimmune response happens after damage to tendons, which attach muscle to bone. For example, a runner’s heel is an area where the muscle is constantly pulling on the bone to create movement.
Genetic Risk
It’s clear that genetics play a role in autoimmune disease, but researchers still don’t fully understand how this happens.
For example, having a family member with lupus or multiple sclerosis (MS) raises your risk of getting these diseases. Some families have multiple members affected by different autoimmune diseases.
However, genetics alone isn’t enough to cause autoimmune disease.
The Most Common Autoimmune Diseases
Autoimmune diseases are relatively common. According to some estimates, more than 23.5 million patients in the United States have at least one autoimmune condition. They are a leading cause of death and disability in the country.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis causes the immune system to disrupt the healthy formation of skin cells. This leads to scaly, dry, itchy patches of skin, along with joint pain.
According to recent studies, estimates suggest that more than 8 million people in the United States have psoriasis, and it affects 125 million people or 2–3% of the world’s population.
There are many types of psoriasis, each with different symptoms. Some develop more often than others.
Common triggers for psoriasis include stress, infections, and environmental factors.
Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, also called Hashimoto’s disease, is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks cells that create thyroid hormones. This leads to an underactive thyroid, known as hypothyroidism.
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis affects about five percent of people in the United States. It is at least 8 times more common in females than males.
Symptoms of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis include:
- A slowed heart rate
- A goiter, which is swelling at the front of the neck
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Heavy or irregular menstruation in women patients
- Increased sensitivity to cold
- Joint and muscle pain
- Weight gain
Graves Disease
Graves Disease is an autoimmune condition that causes the thyroid gland to produce too much thyroid hormone. This leads to hyperthyroidism.
Graves disease affects about 1 in 200 people. It is more common in females than males.
Symptoms of Graves disease include:
- Anxiety or nervousness
- A goiter
- Fatigue
- High blood pressure (Hypertension)
- Irregular and rapid heartbeat (Tachycardia)
- Irregular and light menstruation
- Shaky hands
- Sweating and difficulty tolerating hot conditions
- Weight loss
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
IBD is a long-term digestive condition. In a patient with IBD, an immune system response to environmental triggers leads to inflammation in the stomach and gut.
The condition may affect about 2 million people in the United States. About 1 percent of people around the world have celiac disease.
There are two main types of IBDs:
- Crohn’s disease which involves chronic inflammation occurring anywhere from the mouth to end of the large intestine
- Ulcerative Colitis which involves long-term inflammation of the large intestine
Symptoms of IBD include:
Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is an immune disorder that causes the lining of the small intestine to become inflamed after the person eats foods that contain gluten.
It can lead to abdominal pain, an inability to absorb key nutrients, and some other symptoms, such as joint pain and characteristic rashes.
The immune response is genetically determined and is aimed at gliadin, a component of gluten.
Gluten is a protein in wheat, rye, and barley. Eliminating it from the diet helps control the signs and symptoms of celiac disease.
An estimated 1 in 133 Americans, or about 1% of the population, has celiac disease. However, recent screening studies point to a potentially higher prevalence than one percent in the U.S.
When a person with the condition eats gluten, their immune system attacks healthy tissue in the small intestine. Over time this damages the organ, preventing it from absorbing nutrients properly.
Symptoms of celiac disease include:
- Abdominal pain
- A burning sensation in the chest
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Inflammation
- Joint pain
- Rashes
- weight loss
- Vomiting
Celiac disease is different from gluten intolerance or sensitivity. Either of these issues can cause symptoms similar to those of celiac disease, but there is no damage to the digestive system.
Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s disease is long-lasting (chronic) auto-immune mediated inflammatory disease that can affect any portion of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, from the mouth to the anus.
It most often affects the intestinal walls, particularly in the lower part of the small intestine (the ileum) and portions of the large intestine (the colon).
The disease primarily involves the intestinal system, but it also has a variety of extra-intestinal manifestations and can affect the skin, joints, bones, eyes, kidney, and liver.
The symptoms of Crohn’s disease include intestinal ulcers, discomfort, and pain.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) refers to a range of conditions marked by inflammation of the skin, joints, and when severe, internal organs.
Lupus affects around 1.5 million people in the U.S. and 5 million people worldwide. It affects more women than men.
Symptoms of SLE include:
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is one of the most common long-term autoimmune disorders. It causes the immune system to attack healthy tissue in the joints, including those of the hands, wrists, and knees.
About 1.3 million adults in the U.S. have this condition, which is two to three times more common in females than in males.
Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include:
- Fatigue
- Pain tenderness, and swelling around the joints
- Joint stiffness
- Symptoms that appear on both sides of the body, such as on both hands or knees
- Unexplained Weight Loss
- Weakness
Type-1 Diabetes
Type-1 diabetes causes the immune system to destroy cells in the pancreas that create insulin, called beta cells. As a result, the pancreas is less able to make insulin, leading to insulin deficiency.
Not having enough insulin means that sugars cannot be transported around the body properly, leading to high blood sugar levels.
About 1 in 300 people in the U.S. have type 1 diabetes by age 18. Symptoms include:
- A loss of energy
- Blurred vision
- Frequent urination
- Hunger
- Increased thirst
- Nausea
Signs and Symptoms of Autoimmune Disease
The early symptoms of many autoimmune diseases are very similar, such as:
- Difficulty concentrating
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Hair loss
- Muscle aches
- Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet
- Skin rashes
- Swelling and redness
Individual diseases can also have their own unique symptoms. For example, type 1 diabetes causes extreme thirst, unexplained weight loss, and fatigue. IBD causes belly pain, bloating, and diarrhea.
With autoimmune diseases like psoriasis or RA, symptoms may come and go. A period of symptoms is called a flare-up. A period when the symptoms go away is called remission.
Risk Factors of Autoimmune Disease
Autoimmune diseases can develop in anyone, but certain factors increase the risk.
The risk factors vary among the many types of autoimmune disease, but some common factors include:
- Genetics: Some autoimmune conditions run in families. A person might inherit genes that predispose them to a condition but only develop it when exposed to a combination of triggers.
- Environmental factors: Sunlight, certain chemicals, and viral or bacterial infections can all affect the development of autoimmune conditions.
- Sex: More females have autoimmune disorders than males, due to hormonal factors. The disorders often develop during childbearing years.
- Race: This appears to play a role in the diagnosis and severity of certain autoimmune diseases. For example, more white people receive a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes, while lupus is more severe in African American and Hispanic people.
- Other autoimmune conditions: A person with one autoimmune disorder has an increased risk of developing another.
Diagnosis of Autoimmune Disease
The symptoms of autoimmune conditions tend to be general, overlapping with symptoms of other issues, particularly other autoimmune disorders. This can make it challenging to accurately diagnose an autoimmune condition.
For example, lupus can affect the joints similarly to rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but the symptoms tend to be less severe. IBD causes similar symptoms to celiac disease, but IBD is not typically caused by consuming gluten.
Also, the diagnostic process differs, depending on the specific disease.
However, it usually involves blood tests. A doctor can often diagnose an autoimmune disease by analyzing antibodies produced by the immune system.
A test called a complete blood count allows the doctor to check the levels of white and red blood cells in the body. When the immune system is fighting off something, the levels are different from the usual baseline.
Often, simple blood tests can indicate various conditions. For instance, diagnosing Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves disease requires a simple test to measure levels of thyroid hormone.
Other tests can indicate unusual inflammation, an issue that is fairly common among all autoimmune diseases. These tests include C-reactive protein test and an erythrocyte sedimentation rate test. For some patients, getting a diagnosis can be a long process.
Treatment of Autoimmune Disease
There is no cure for autoimmune diseases, but treatments can control the overactive immune response and bring down inflammation or at least reduce pain and inflammation. Drugs used to treat these conditions include:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) , such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and naproxen (Naprosyn)
- Immune suppressing drugs
Treatments are also available to relieve symptoms like pain, swelling, fatigue, and skin rashes.
Eating a well-balanced diet and getting regular exercise may also help the patients feel better.
The main treatment for autoimmune diseases is with medications that bring down inflammation and calm the overactive immune response. Treatments can also help relieve symptoms.
While there is no cure for any autoimmune condition, treatments can reduce or eliminate symptoms, slow the progression of the illness, and improve the quality of life.
Other Treatments for Autoimmune Diseases
Specific approaches to treat autoimmune diseases vary by condition, but common treatments include:
Relieving Symptoms
This might involve taking aspirin or ibuprofen to reduce mild pain and swelling or prescribed alternatives, depending on the severity of the symptoms.
Prescribed medications can also help with:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Rashes
- Sleep problems
In many cases, getting regular exercise and having a balanced, nutritious diet can also help.
Taking Replacement Drugs
Some autoimmune disorders affect the body’s ability to produce what it needs. For instance, type 1 diabetes keeps the body from creating enough insulin, and thyroid disease prevents it from producing the right amount of thyroid hormone.
Various medications can replace these substances. A person may have insulin injections or take pills that contain synthetic versions of thyroid hormone.
Taking Immunosuppressants
For many patients, medications that suppress the immune system can relieve the symptoms of an autoimmune disorder and slow its progression.
However, these drugs, called immunosuppressants, can cause side effects.
Avoiding Triggers
In some cases, avoiding things that trigger the immune system reaction can help ease or eliminate symptoms and slow down the progression of the disease.
For example, having a gluten-free diet can prevent symptoms of celiac disease.
Bay Biosciences is a global leader in providing researchers with high quality, clinical grade, fully characterized human tissue samples, bio-specimens and human bio-fluid collections.
Samples available are cancer (tumor) tissue, cancer serum, cancer plasma cancer PBMC and human tissue samples from most other therapeutic areas and diseases.
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Including fresh frozen tissue samples, tumor tissue samples, FFPE’s, tissue slides, with matching human bio-fluids, whole blood and blood derived products such as serum, plasma and PBMC’s.
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