Summary: Did Evolution Give Us Inflammatory Disease

Genetic disorders and cell mutations are known to alter the immune system. The immune system is a complex system that functions to protect our bodies from infection and disease. The bone marrow produces cells that later mature and function as part of the immune system. One theory suggests that the

As described by the Centers for Disease Control, chronic disease is the leading cause of death and disability in the United States. A The body is so well designed in some areas yet so poorly designed in others. Why has selection left us so vulnerable to disease? (Nesse, 2005.) Cancer, Diabetes, Cardio vascular,and Respiratory disease. (Infectious and Chronic Disease, 2015.) The immune system is the first line of defense against diseases and infections it a system of organs, tissue cells, and cell products such as antibodies. These antibodies neutralize potentially pathogenic organisms or substances. Signs of our immune system at work are coughing, fever, pain, nausea, vomiting, anxiety and fatigue; these are not abnormalities yet people seek medical help. The presence of these symptoms are fighting mechanisms of our immune system, thus being beneficial since they are aversive and are not themselves problems but a solution. The evolution significance of a disease like sickle cell, creates an immunity to malaria. “Sickle Cell Anemia, as long as carried heterozygous (AS), serve as an effective preventable took against the largest infectious disease killer in the world.” (Understanding our

Makover, M. & Zieve, D. (2011, February 14). Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Retrieved July

Autoimmune diseases are a growing concern in the American population. An estimated 10 million Americans suffer from autoimmune diseases with 75% of these cases being of women. Furthermore, autoimmune diseases have grown to be within the top 10 causes of death among American women. The incidences of these diseases have been shown to increase with financial wealth, industrial development, and the modern progression of life. As such, the occurrence of these conditions is expected to grow as time passes. With such a notable modern influence, it is shocking that these diseases were not considered of clinical relevance until the 1950s. The investigation of the mechanisms of the propagation of these diseases have been of immense scientific relevance ever since. The complicated immunological background behind infection and treatment of autoimmune diseases while interesting from a scientists perspective, means that from the perspective of treatment there is a long arduous path until new, efficient treatments will show an appreciable decrease in the occurrence of these diseases within American population.

Autoimmune diseases materializes when the immune system becomes perplexed and vicious assault the human body, devastating tissue. Thus, both Lupus and RA (Rheumatoid arthritis) are destructive autoimmune diseases. Nevertheless, it is currently undetermined what activates these diseases, but they are regrettably genetic in nature. Both diseases coalesced affect approximately 24.2 million Americans. Though they share similar symptoms, each has its unique way of inflicting excruciating and debilitating discomfort to the human body. This essay will explore the similarities and variances between the two.

healthy cells. Autoimmune diseases are on a sharp increase in the U.S., and they are

Lupus “is predominantly a disease of young women (most commonly affecting women between the ages of 15–45) but can affect men as well” (Hughes & Sangle 2012). “Women of color (Asian and African American) are two to three times more likely to develop Lupus than Northern European women” (Hughes & Sangle 2012). It is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects many parts of the human body including the immune system, joints, skin, and organs within the body. Normally, the human body would produce proteins (antibodies) that protect the body from invaders such as viruses, bacteria and germs. In the human body afflicted with Lupus, the body becomes “autoimmune” and the body is unable to tell the difference between foreign invaders such as those named

The human immune system creates a series of responses in the body to defend the body. If a foreign organism, such as a virus or a cold invades your body, it recognizes these foreign organisms, and, in turn, attacks them to get rid of them. One can think of the immune system as an army of many cells which have set up their own bastion in the human body. They have only one job: To defend. The immune system’s cells are various kinds of white blood cells. The human body typically creates about 1000 million white blood cells on a daily basis. A group of these cells, macrophages, establish a patrol of sorts throughout the body killing germs as soon as they enter the body. However, sometimes an infection can cause the macrophages to succumb to it. The body begins to fight back with stronger T- and B-cells.

Humans experienced numerous problems throughout history. Some of these problems were natural disasters, war, hunger, or diseases. Nevertheless, these problems are caused by nature or other humans, but now humans recognized another problem that is caused by the human himself, it is called autoimmune diseases when the human himself becomes the enemy. One of the most known autoimmune diseases is lupus that has many characteristics and symptoms that can affect someone's life greatly.

Lupus also known as the systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is an autoimmune disease which signifies that the body’s immune system attacks the healthy tissues and organs by mistake. Lupus can affect any parts of the body including skins, joints, kidneys, blood vessels and as well as cause large inflammations in the organs that are affected by the disease. When an individual is diagnosed with Lupus, their immune system becomes hyperactive and begin to attack normal healthy tissues. The immune system makes antibodies which help fights against bacteria and viruses. Lupus cause the immune system to not able to distinguish between antigens and healthy tissues. As a result of not being able to distinguish between antigens and healthy tissues, the immune system starts to direct antibodies against healthy tissues. Lupus can be mild

Pathogens can quickly change and adjust to escape detection and destruction by the immune system. Therefore, several defense mechanisms have too changed to identify and neutralize pathogens. Disorders of the immune system can cause autoimmune disease, inflammatory diseases, and cancer. Immunodeficiency appears when the immune system is less functioning than normal, causing in recurrent and life threatening infections. Immunodeficiency may be an effect of inherited disease passed down. Autoimmunity happens from a hyperactive immune system attacking normal tissue believing they are foreign organisms. Some familiar autoimmune diseases are hashimoto’s thyroiditis, diabetes mellitus type 1, systemic lupus erythematosus, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Chapter 10 of Disease and Human Evolution discusses leprosy. What initially stood out to me is that leprosy isn’t actually the official name of the disease. It was renamed Hansen’s Disease after Dr. Hansen, who discovered the real cause of leprosy. This is where I saw the first evolutionary mechanism. The mycobacterium that causes leprosy, Mycobacterium leprae, can shed its cell wall. This allows it to adapt to a variety of environments, including our body, allowing it to infect as many individuals as possible. I think this is a great example of part of the evolutionary synthesis, that heritable variation will be systematically biased. This says that variation will be biased towards adaptive and well-integrated variants. This mycobacterium certainly did that in evolving the mechanism to shed its cell wall so it can integrate into any organism’s system. I also found it incredibly interesting that this bacteria can also infect armadillos of all animals. While Barnes also discussed that chimpanzees and monkeys can be infected, it stood out to me that armadillos specifically can be infected, as we typically just learn about livestock and non-human primates can be infected with the disease.

Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease marked by its effect on various parts of the body, including the joints, skin, blood, and kidneys. It is a condition in which the body's immune system attacks its own cells and tissues, resulting in pain, inflammation, and often damage to organs. Lupus involves the immune system. The immune system makes antibodies that work to protect the body against foreign substances like viruses and bacteria. Such foreign bodies are called antigens. When a person has lupus, his or her body is unable to determine the difference between antigens and the individual's cells and body tissues. As such, the immune system creates antibodies against the individual's own tissues. These antibodies are called autoantibodies. Depending on the type of lupus, a wide range of symptoms may be experienced, from rashes, hair loss, and achy, swollen joints to fever, anemia, and abnormal blood clotting. Though the disease can affect many parts of the body, individuals usually experience symptoms in only a few organs. There is no known cure for lupus. However,

With autoimmune diseases, the underlying issue is similar. The body's immune system becomes unable to recognize healthy cells from diseased cells. Consequently, the immune’s own defense mechanism produces antibodies that attack the normal tissues and cells. Autoimmune diseases

Our immune system is the second most complex system in our body. It is made up of organs, cells and proteins that work together to protect our bodies from harmful bacteria, viruses or other microorganisms that can cause diseases. Usually we don’t notice our immune system defending us against pathogens, but if the pathogen (harmful microorganism) is aggressive or if our body hasn’t ever come into contact with it, we can get sick. The jobs of our immune system are to recognise pathogens, as well as neutralise and remove them from our body. Our immune system also has to fight our own cells if they have changed due to an illness, for example, cancer. (1)