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Multiple Choice

What term describes antibodies that target the body's own tissues?

Autoantibodies are antibodies directed against the body's own antigens, reflecting a breakdown of self-tolerance and underpinning autoimmune diseases. When produced, they can cause tissue injury by activating complement, promoting inflammatory cells, or forming immune complexes that deposit in organs. For example, anti-nuclear antibodies are associated with systemic lupus erythematosus, illustrating self-directed antibody responses. Alloantibodies target antigens from other individuals of the same species (relevant to transfusion or transplant), not the body's own tissues. Opsonins are molecules that tag pathogens to enhance phagocytosis (antibodies can act as opsonins, but the term here refers to self-directed antibodies). Antibiotics are drugs, not antibodies.

Autoantibodies are antibodies directed against the body's own antigens, reflecting a breakdown of self-tolerance and underpinning autoimmune diseases. When produced, they can cause tissue injury by activating complement, promoting inflammatory cells, or forming immune complexes that deposit in organs. For example, anti-nuclear antibodies are associated with systemic lupus erythematosus, illustrating self-directed antibody responses. Alloantibodies target antigens from other individuals of the same species (relevant to transfusion or transplant), not the body's own tissues. Opsonins are molecules that tag pathogens to enhance phagocytosis (antibodies can act as opsonins, but the term here refers to self-directed antibodies). Antibiotics are drugs, not antibodies.