1. Antibodies produced by the immune system that attack the body's own cells and tissues, often associated with autoimmune diseases.
Usage: medical/scientific term; typically used in plural form; key diagnostic marker in autoimmune conditions

Examples

• The presence of autoantibodies in the patient's blood indicated an autoimmune disorder.
• Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by the production of autoantibodies against joint tissues.
• Doctors tested for autoantibodies to help diagnose lupus.
• Autoantibodies can attack various organs, including the thyroid and kidneys.
• The development of autoantibodies is a hallmark of many systemic autoimmune diseases.
• Researchers are studying how autoantibodies form and why the immune system attacks itself.