Autoimmune diseases: When your body becomes the enemy

In this episode of "InFact", host Julia Demann talks to Dr. Dr.
Theresa Graalmann about why our immune system sometimes chooses the
wrong enemy: Its own body. They also discuss how research at the
Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) is giving new hope to
people with autoimmune diseases. Theresa Graalmann talks about how
rheumatism, lupus, and vascular inflammation develop. She also
talks about which organs are most affected and the role that
infections, diet, and addictive substances like nicotine play in
causing or worsening these conditions. Most importantly, it shows
how closely medical doctors and scientists work together at the HZI
and its partner institute TWINCORE. The development of new
treatments is based on patient data and cutting-edge cell analyses.
This means that laboratory findings reach the patient's bedside
more quickly.