What is the primary target in organ-specific autoimmune diseases?

The primary target in organ-specific autoimmune diseases is individual organs or tissues. In these conditions, the immune system mistakenly identifies specific proteins or cells in a particular organ as foreign, leading to an autoimmune response that can damage that organ or tissue.

For example, in autoimmune thyroid disease, the immune system targets the thyroid gland, resulting in conditions like Graves' disease or Hashimoto's thyroiditis, which specifically affect thyroid function rather than impacting the entire body. This is in contrast to systemic autoimmune diseases, where multiple organ systems are affected simultaneously.

Focusing on individual organs allows for targeted therapeutic strategies that can help manage the immune response and mitigate damage to those specific areas, making it essential to recognize the localized nature of organ-specific autoimmune diseases.