Chapter 21 - New approaches to vaccines for autoimmunity

Abstract

Vaccines and autoimmunity are a comprehensive exploration of the interplay between vaccines, immunology, and autoimmunity, drawing upon extensive expertise in the fields of vaccinology and autoimmunity, as well as a meticulous analysis of the extensive scientific literature available on this subject. Since vaccines are administered to healthy individuals, studies or tests should be carried out to identify individuals who may be at risk of experiencing adverse autoimmune reactions post vaccination. Moreover, persons having a history of bad responses to immunizations should be evaluated carefully before receiving additional vaccines. Numerous mechanisms, which explain how infectious agents can trigger such responses, have been identified. These associations highlight the complex interplay between infections and the immune system, shedding light on the underlying mechanisms that lead to the progression of autoimmune conditions. In recent studies, researchers have proposed an additional mechanism known as the adjuvant effect, which provides further insights into the potential link between infections and autoimmunity. This mechanism suggests that infections can act as adjuvants, enhancing the immune response and potentially progressing the development of autoimmune conditions in a broader context. By stimulating and modulating the immune system, infections may also influence the balance between tolerance and immune activation leading to the development of autoimmune diseases. It is also known that both infectious agents and adjuvants, including certain components of vaccines, can activate autoimmune mechanisms. The occurrence of autoimmune disease involves a complex interplay of various factors, including genetic predisposition, environmental triggers, and dysregulation of the immune system. Therefore, while infections and adjuvants can potentially contribute to autoimmune responses, the manifestation of autoimmune diseases is multifactorial and not solely determined by the presence of a specific agent. Recent breakthroughs in our knowledge of the molecular processes underlying immune cell activation have also resulted in the deliberate activation of certain immunological pattern recognition receptors that provide a chance to fine-tune vaccine formulation and adjuvant efficacy. In this manuscript, we have made an attempt to understand infection and adjuvant-induced autoimmunity and also the vaccination-inducing autoimmune diseases and strategies for the development of the same.