According to the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, as many as 50 million Americans may be living with an autoimmune disorder. Many of these remain undiagnosed and, without intervention, can worsen over time. Given current treatment options, however, even those being actively managed can be met with complications. 

Autoimmune diseases can affect individuals at any age and cause the body’s immune system to attack its own healthy tissues. While there are no known cures, most current management strategies involve symptom reduction through immunosuppressive medication, which can present its own challenges with harmful side effects. 

Some of the most common autoimmune diseases are type-1 diabetes, lupus, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. 

With respect to disease prevalence, gender and ethnic background differences are significant. The National Institutes of Health indicates that 78% of diagnoses are for women. Additionally, African Americans and Latino/a populations are disproportionately affected. 

With lupus, which can damage several parts of the body including joints and organs, this gender and ethnicity disparity is even greater. The Lupus Foundation of America reports that 90% of those living with the disease are women of childbearing age, and African American women are three times more likely to develop lupus than white women. 

While autoimmune diseases are on the rise, according to NIH, many of them remain understudied. Researchers know that causes include genetics and environmental triggers, but relatively little progress has been made on mitigation techniques that cause less side effects and are more cost-effective. 

James Pestka, a University Distinguished Professor at MSU, has dedicated his career to understanding more about the causes of — and potential alternative treatments for — autoimmune diseases, particularly lupus.