Insights into the autoimmune aspect of premature ovarian insufficiency

Publication date: Available online 16 September 2019Source: Best Practice & Research Clinical Endocrinology & MetabolismAuthor(s): Kassem Sharif, Abdulla Watad, Charlie Bridgewood, Darja Kanduc, Howard Amital, Yehuda ShoenfeldAbstractPremature ovarian insufficiency (POI) refers to a continuum of decreasing ovarian function in women before the age of 40. To date, the cause of POI in the majority of cases remain unresolved. Many cases has been linked to genetic, toxic, infections, enzymatic and iatrogenic causes.A key function of the immune system is to identify and differentiate “self” and “non self” i.e. tolerance. Loss of self-tolerance results in an immune response against self-tissues and thus autoimmunity. Various investigations have highlighted the role of autoimmunity and its pertinence to POI. Several potential immune antigenic targets in the ovary have been reported to be involved in autoantibody induced autoimmune attack. The presence of lymphocytic oöphorits in ovarian samples of patients with POI provides histopathological evidence of autoimmune ovarian involvement. Finally, POI is strongly associated with other autoimmune conditions including for instance Addison disease, autoimmune polyglandular syndrome (APS) -1, APS-4, hypothyroidism, and diabetes mellitus among other autoimmune diseases. Taken together, these lines of evidence provide strong basis that support the role of autoimmunity as a potential cause of disease etiopathogenesis. Continuing resear...
Source: Best Practice and Research Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism - Category: Endocrinology Source Type: research