Abstract
Bodily self and immune self: is there a link?
Highlights
We experience the physical body as our own, except in rare conditions and transitory illusions
The Bodily Self is defined as a nonpropositional representation of interoexteroceptive information (Haggard et al, 2003; Pacherie, 2008); and the Immune Self is defined as whatever the immune system recognize as belonging to the hosting body (Nossal, 2001)
When the immune system appropriately regulates by engaging in biodestructive activity of a pathogen, that pathogen is considered as part of the “nonself,” while tolerance towards the healthy tissue of the host is considered part of the “self.” when biodestructive activity is inappropriately regulated, autoimmunity might occur
Summary
We experience the physical body as our own, except in rare conditions and transitory illusions. The intriguing idea of a link between the Bodily Self and the Immune Self was proposed by Antonio Damasio more than 10 years ago (Damasio, 2003). Barnsley et al’s data suggest a biological link between bodily self-consciousness and the immune system.
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