Yes. Healthy people have autoreactive B cells and T cells that lead to the production of natural autoantibodies (NAA) that bind to self-antigens, but with only low to moderate affinities. In contrast to the harmful type of autoantibodies that cause the immune system to target self-tissues, NAA are beneficial and play a role in regulating[1] the immune system.
Although NAA were first discovered[2] back in 1963, their exact role in the body still isn’t clear. They are thought to play a role in the first line of defense to infections and may be protective[3] in people with autoimmune disease.[4]
References
- ^Siloşi I, Siloşi CA, Boldeanu MV, Cojocaru M, Biciuşcă V, Avrămescu CS, Cojocaru IM, Bogdan M, FolcuŢi RMThe role of autoantibodies in health and disease.Rom J Morphol Embryol.(2016)
- ^BOYDEN SCELLULAR RECOGNITION OF FOREIGN MATTER.Int Rev Exp Pathol.(1963)
- ^Mannoor K, Xu Y, Chen CNatural autoantibodies and associated B cells in immunity and autoimmunity.Autoimmunity.(2013-Mar)
- ^Mehrani T, Petri MIgM anti-β2 glycoprotein I is protective against lupus nephritis and renal damage in systemic lupus erythematosus.J Rheumatol.(2011-Mar)