toLupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Crohn's disease, and type 1 diabetes…these are the most common and well-known autoimmune diseases, and these conditions are caused by a malfunction of our immune system, when it attacks us instead of protecting us. These diseases mainly affect women, and are one of the ten leading causes of death among women under the age of 65.
In Montpellier, for the first time in France, a new university hospital institute, Immun4Cure, is entirely dedicated to these diseases. Better welcoming patients, working on developing medicines. Meet its director, Professor Christian Jorgensen, Who also directs the Institute of Regenerative Medicine and Biotherapy (IRMB) in Montpellier.
Point: What exactly is an autoimmune disease?
Christian Jorgensen: We have a very sophisticated immune system. When you get infected with a virus, your body and its immune system produce antibodies. There is a parallel cellular response, with immune cells, called T lymphocytes, that attack the virus or bacteria. But sometimes things go wrong. The origin of these imbalances is not known. We then have antibodies that turn against a target in the body. Or lymphocytes that destroy an organ by generating chronic inflammation. A typical example is […] Read more
