Autoimmune Diseases
The immune system is the body’s natural line of defence against infection and disease.1 As part of a healthy immune system, our bodies regularly produce antibodies to fight off harmful bacteria or viruses.1
Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system malfunctions and mistakenly attacks healthy cells, tissues and organs, damaging them as a result.1 Autoantibody mediated autoimmune diseases develop when pathogenic antibodies, made by one’s own body, attack critical organs and tissues.1
In pregnant individuals, the body might produce antibodies which can attack the organs and tissues of the foetus, called maternal alloantibodies.2 If this happens, the maternal alloantibodies can mistake the growing baby as a ‘threat’ and attack inside the womb, potentially leading to serious complications.23
Johnson & Johnson and Immunology
Autoantibody diseases are associated with significant morbidity and mortality worldwide.4 Within Europe, it’s estimated that between 7.6 and 10.2% of the population is affected by severe autoantibody diseases, many of whom lack safe and effective treatments.45
Johnson & Johnson is committed to pushing the boundaries of science and building on the rapidly evolving understanding of the immune system to address the significant unmet needs experienced by patients with autoimmune diseases. We are committed to deepening our research into the underlying causes of autoantibody and alloantibody diseases to develop novel, revolutionary treatment approaches. Across multiple auto- and alloantibody diseases, our goal is to redefine care with transformative therapies that help restore immune balance.
Explore our Disease Areas
Auto-antibody Diseases
Myasthenia Gravis (MG)
MG is an autoimmune disease that can cause weakness in muscles.67 It can cause muscle weakness in the arms, legs, or neck, as well as double vision, drooping eyelids, difficulty with speech, chewing, swallowing, or breathing.67 It can also lead to mental and physical fatigue.6 In approximately 90% of people with MG, muscle weakness and fatigue is caused by autoantibodies that block receptors in the muscles.7 MG symptoms can often change over time, and at worst can result in a ‘flare-up’ or exacerbation known as a myasthenic crisis, which may require hospital care.68
Allo-antibody Diseases
Haemolytic Disease of the Foetus and Newborn (HDFN)
HDFN is a rare condition that occurs during pregnancy. The condition occurs when a mother’s red blood cells are incompatible with the red blood cells of their growing baby (foetus).3 The mother’s immune system sees the baby’s red blood cells as a threat and produces alloantibodies (a type of maternal antibody) to attack them.3 These alloantibodies pass through the placenta and attack the growing baby’s own red blood cells, causing red blood cell destruction.2
Allo-antibody Diseases
Foetal and Neonatal Alloimmune Thrombocytopenia (FNAIT)
FNAIT is a rare condition where a mother’s immune system mistakenly attacks the baby’s platelets.9 In extreme cases, this can lead to dangerously low platelet levels.10 Platelets help blood clot, so low levels can increase the risk of internal bleeding and lead to the baby’s body being unable to heal itself properly.1011 Many do not realise they have this condition until they give birth to a baby with a low platelet count or if a close family member has an affected baby.12
