An antibody that attacks or neutralizes other antibodies, especially one's own immune antibodies.
From Greek 'anti-' (against) + 'antibody' (from 'anti-' + 'body'). This immunological term emerged in the mid-20th century as scientists discovered that the immune system could turn against itself.
Your immune system can accidentally make antibodies that fight against your own antibodies—it's like friendly soldiers attacking each other—and this happens in autoimmune diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
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