Question

Why is tolerance critical to the normal functioning of the immune system? Can you name and describe examples of human disorders in which there has been a breakdown in self-tolerance?

Answer 1

Answer-

Immune tolerance is a state wherein in the body is unresponsive to substances and tissues which would otherwise have elicited immune response.

It is important for normal physiology as it enables the body to discriminate self from non-self (central tolerance) and also to prevent over-activity of the immune system to allergens, etc.

The breakdown of self-tolerance, especially central tolerance results in several autoimmune disorders ​​​​​​, like :-

1) Rheumatoid arthritis:- its a long term disorder resulting in warm, swollen and painful joints.

2) Type -1 Diabetes:- this involves very little or no insulin production by the pancreas due to autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas