Recent developments in autoimmunity

Summary Contemporary immunology has revolutionized our concepts of the immune system, bringing recognition of self into sharp focus as perhaps the major biological phenomenon upon which even recognition of foreignness may depend. The impact of this phenomenon on our understanding of autoimmune diseases is emphasized in this article. Autoimmune diseases are truly multifactorial. Genetic, viral and hormonal factors are extremely important in pathogenesis. Animal models for autoimmune diseases offer great promise for working out pathogenetic mechanisms and for devising new and more rational modes of therapy.