Abstract
Autoimmune gastritis is the outcome of a pathological CD4 T cell-mediated autoimmune response directed against the gastric H/K-ATPase. Silent initially, the gastric lesion becomes manifest in humans by the development of megaloblastic pernicious anemia arising from vitamin B12 deficiency. Cutting edge issues in this disease relate to its epidemiology, immunogenetics, a role for Helicobacter pylori as an infective trigger through molecular mimicry, its immunopathogenesis, associated organ-specific autoimmune diseases, laboratory diagnosis, and approaches to curative therapy.
MeSH terms
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Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / complications
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Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / epidemiology
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Animals
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Autoimmune Diseases / diagnosis
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Autoimmune Diseases / epidemiology
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Autoimmune Diseases / etiology*
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Autoimmune Diseases / therapy
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CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
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Enzyme Activation
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Gastritis / diagnosis
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Gastritis / epidemiology
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Gastritis / etiology*
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Gastritis / therapy
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Genetic Predisposition to Disease
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H(+)-K(+)-Exchanging ATPase / metabolism
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Helicobacter pylori / pathogenicity
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Humans
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Immune Tolerance
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Incidence
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Vitiligo / epidemiology
Substances
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H(+)-K(+)-Exchanging ATPase