Autoimmune disease development: Genetic, Environmental, and Lifestyle Factors

Data

Official data in SubjectManager for the following academic year: 2025-2026

Topic

Course Objectives

·         Introduction to autoimmune diseases and exploring their pathomechanism.

·         Identify key risk factors and understand their interplay for the development of autoimmune diseases.

·         Analyze the impact of lifestyle factors (smoking, diet, exercise) on autoimmune risk.

·         Discuss the role of infections and microbial dysbiosis.

·         Evaluate the influence of gender and hormonal factors.

·         Explore the role of environmental toxins and occupational exposures.

·         Assessment of scientific literature on autoimmune risk factors.

Lectures

• 1. ·         Introduction to autoimmunity·         Definition and classification of autoimmune diseases. - Meggyes-Rapp Judit
• 2. ·         Pathogenesis of autoimmunity: immune dysregulation, disturbance in tolerance, autoantibody secretion, cellular and signaling mechanisms.Common autoimmune diseases including clinical manifestations, diagnosis and current therapies - Meggyes-Rapp Judit
• 3. ·         Genetic susceptibility, Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) complex and thei role in autoimmunity·         Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and their association with autoimmune risk - Olasz Katalin Eszter
• 4. ·         Familial clustering and genetic testing of autoimmune diseases·         The risk of multiple autoimmunity: co-occurrence of autoimmune diseases·         Medication side effects: drug- induced autoimmunity - Olasz Katalin Eszter
• 5. ·         Infections: Role of viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections. Molecular mimicry and cross-reactivity.·         Dysbiosis: The gut microbiome and its influence on the immune system. Probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation. Smoking: Impact of smoking on the immune system - Olasz Katalin Eszter
• 6. ·         Obesity: Adipose tissue as an endocrine organ.·         Metabolic syndrome and autoimmune risk.·         Diet: Nutritional factors and their impact on the immune system. Role of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.·         Environmental Triggers: Exposure to toxic agents: heavy metals, pesticides, and air pollution. Occupational exposures and autoimmune risk. - Olasz Katalin Eszter
• 7. ·         Epidemiology of autoimmune diseases·         Gender bias: female predominance in many autoimmune diseases. - Olasz Katalin Eszter
• 8. ·         Hormonal influences: the role of estrogen, progesterone, and androgens.·         Pregnancy and autoimmune disease. - Olasz Katalin Eszter
• 9. ·         Epigenetics and autoimmunity - Meggyes-Rapp Judit
• 10. ·         Epigenetic mechanisms: DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs.·         Epigenetic changes in autoimmune diseases. - Meggyes-Rapp Judit
• 11. ·         Research methods used in autoimmune disease studies·         Epidemiological approaches: case-control and prospective cohort studies - Meggyes-Rapp Judit
• 12. ·         Genetic association studies: genome-wide association studies (GWAS).·         Critical appraisal of scientific literature: evaluating study design, bias and validity. - Meggyes-Rapp Judit

Practices

Seminars

Reading material

Obligatory literature

PPT files of the course

Literature developed by the Department

Notes

Recommended literature

Conditions for acceptance of the semester

Case study presentations / Presentation of a peer-reviewed research article or original research findings within a journal club session

Mid-term exams

nincs

Making up for missed classes

nem

Exam topics/questions

Case study presentations / Presentation of a peer-reviewed research article or original research findings within a journal club session

Examiners

• Meggyes-Rapp Judit
• Olasz Katalin Eszter

Instructor / tutor of practices and seminars