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Vitamin D deficiency is linked to autoimmune disorders, but through a larger mechanism. As I (a layman, not a doctor) understand it, the autoimmune disorder ph

Vitamin D deficiency is linked to autoimmune disorders, but through a larger mechanism. As I (a layman, not a doctor) understand it, the autoimmune disorder phenomenon is now thought to be the result of two things: a) DNA from viral infections in previous generations (HERV, Human Endogenous Retro-Viruses), and b) infection with a similar virus. The HERV gives autoimmune diseases a genetic component, which is why not everyone gets them, and the infection with a similar virus (like Epstein-Barr for multiple sclerosis) triggers the body to start attacking itself because it finds the HERV. Vitamin D can help suppress the expression of HERV, so vitamin D deficiency can contribute to the problem—but it's not the root of the problem. https://www.imrpress.com/journal/JIN/20/1/10.31083/j.jin.2021.01.392/htm https://www.imrpress.com/journal/JIN/20/1/10.31083/j.jin.202...

DoreenMichele 3y ago
So you have listed three potential explanations: 1. Vitamin D deficiency. 2. Genetic disorder 3. Viral infection All of which are specific causes that are potentially treatable and do not fit with "the immune system has lost its mind and is randomly attacking healthy tissue."
- IIsi50MHz 3y ago
  Let me try to fill in. Prior infection with something can leave behind genetic changes (which can also be passed to offspring, even across many generations). The changes may or may not cause a disorder. Subsequent infection by a similar agent may cause the immune system to "learn" aspects of that agent. This can then cause the immune system to identify similar aspects of host cells, and mount a response to the perceived threat. Relatedly, allergies are also a class of immune disorder based on misidentification. For instance, toxicodendron plants like "poison ivy" produce a harmless substance that is capable of chemically bonding to human cell membranes, which does not seem to impair the primary function of the cell, but does alter its ability to respond correctly when "interrogated" by relevant T-cells. These T-cells are immune cells which can be described as drifting through the body, randomly attaching to other cells, and then asking those cells to authenticate. The response from an affected cell is malformed, causing the T-cell to release a chemical signal which is like say "Kill everything here!". This causes other immune cells which enter the area to commence destroying friend and foe alike. More immune cells will continue to be recruited for as long as the 'kill' signal lasts. The signal will continue to be produced each time another cell fails to authenticate.
  - DoreenMichele 3y ago
    Thank you. Failure to authenticate does not sound to me like "the immune system loses its mind and randomly attacks healthy tissue." It sounds more like "sometimes something messes up a normal security check and this results in security personnel being called in droves." Kind of like SWATting.

DoreenMichele 3y ago

So you have listed three potential explanations: 1. Vitamin D deficiency. 2. Genetic disorder 3. Viral infection All of which are specific causes that are potentially treatable and do not fit with "the immune system has lost its mind and is randomly attacking healthy tissue."

IIsi50MHz 3y ago
Let me try to fill in. Prior infection with something can leave behind genetic changes (which can also be passed to offspring, even across many generations). The changes may or may not cause a disorder. Subsequent infection by a similar agent may cause the immune system to "learn" aspects of that agent. This can then cause the immune system to identify similar aspects of host cells, and mount a response to the perceived threat. Relatedly, allergies are also a class of immune disorder based on misidentification. For instance, toxicodendron plants like "poison ivy" produce a harmless substance that is capable of chemically bonding to human cell membranes, which does not seem to impair the primary function of the cell, but does alter its ability to respond correctly when "interrogated" by relevant T-cells. These T-cells are immune cells which can be described as drifting through the body, randomly attaching to other cells, and then asking those cells to authenticate. The response from an affected cell is malformed, causing the T-cell to release a chemical signal which is like say "Kill everything here!". This causes other immune cells which enter the area to commence destroying friend and foe alike. More immune cells will continue to be recruited for as long as the 'kill' signal lasts. The signal will continue to be produced each time another cell fails to authenticate.
- DoreenMichele 3y ago
  Thank you. Failure to authenticate does not sound to me like "the immune system loses its mind and randomly attacks healthy tissue." It sounds more like "sometimes something messes up a normal security check and this results in security personnel being called in droves." Kind of like SWATting.