What is autoimmunity?
Autoimmunity describes situations where the immune system reacts to the body's own tissues. Normally, a process called immune tolerance prevents this. Developing immune cells are tested in the thymus, and those that react too strongly to the body's own proteins are removed or restrained. Specialized regulatory T cells then keep watch throughout life, calming responses that could otherwise turn inward.
How your genes play a role
Several genes are involved in this balance. HLA genes influence which protein fragments are shown to immune cells, and certain HLA types, such as HLA-B27, are well known in research on immune-related conditions. AIRE helps train immune cells in the thymus, FOXP3 guides regulatory T cells, and CTLA4 and PTPN22 act as brakes on immune activation. Having a variant does not mean a condition will develop.
Autoimmune tendencies often run in families, and many people simply want to understand their own background more clearly. Genetic insight can offer helpful context when talking with a clinician about family history or symptoms you have noticed. It can also highlight how much of the picture depends on environment and lifestyle, which can feel reassuring. The goal is understanding, not prediction.
What your report shows
Your Autoimmunity results are explained in plain language in your private EvoDNA account, alongside the other areas in your kit.
- Tolerance genesVariants in genes that help train and restrain immune cells so they leave your own tissues alone.
- Notable HLA typesWhether you carry HLA variants that are frequently studied in immune research.
- Immune brakesHow genes that slow down immune activation may be tuned in your DNA.
- Family contextGenetic patterns that may help you understand immune tendencies that appear in your family.
| Gene | What it does | Result |
|---|---|---|
| HLA-B27 | A specific HLA type that is widely studied in… | Typical |
| AIRE | Helps the thymus show developing immune cells a wide… | Moderate effect |
| FOXP3 | Acts as a master switch for regulatory T cells,… | Typical |
Each result comes with a plain-language explanation and practical points to discuss with your clinician.
Illustration only. Your report reflects your own genetic results.
Genes we analyze
| Gene | Role |
|---|---|
| HLA-B27 | A specific HLA type that is widely studied in relation to inflammatory conditions of the spine and joints. |
| AIRE | Helps the thymus show developing immune cells a wide range of the body's own proteins so they learn tolerance. |
| FOXP3 | Acts as a master switch for regulatory T cells, which help keep immune responses in check. |
| CTLA4 | Encodes a receptor on T cells that works as a brake, helping to switch off activation. |
| PTPN22 | Produces an enzyme that helps regulate how readily immune cells become activated. |
Full panel: 12 genes
HLA-B, HLA-DR, HLA-DQ, HLA-B27, HLA-B8, AIRE, PTPN22, IL2RA, STAT3, IRF5, FOXP3, CTLA4
Putting results to use
Many people use their results as a starting point for conversations with their clinician about:
Sharing family health history with your clinician can add useful context to genetic insights.
Good sleep supports overall immune balance and is often part of these conversations.
A varied, minimally processed diet is commonly discussed as supportive of immune health.
Many people find that noticing and easing periods of stress helps them feel more balanced.
Questions
If I carry HLA-B27, will I develop a condition?
Not necessarily. Many people with HLA-B27 never develop related conditions. It is one of many factors researchers study, and your clinician can help interpret it alongside your history.
Can this test diagnose an autoimmune condition?
No. Diagnosis depends on symptoms, examination and specific clinical tests. Your report provides genetic context only.
Why does autoimmunity seem to run in families?
Families share many genes, including immune genes like HLA, as well as environments and habits. Both likely contribute to the patterns people notice.
Only interested in this area? The Autoimmune DNA Profile Genetic Report is available on its own for $99.00.
