1.   But the studies of this autoimmune response have been mixed, Liu said.

2.   In fact, he added, women with hypothyroidism have a higher risk of miscarriage in the first trimester, perhaps as a result of such an autoimmune response.

3.   It may be that one of these agents causes inflammation, which somehow brings on an autoimmune response.

4.   It merely restrains the autoimmune response, rather than eliminating whatever causes the response.

5.   Other theories postulate that autism develops after something triggers an autoimmune response in the brain.

6.   Boege said researchers next will begin animal studies to see whether the autoimmune response against beta receptors will cause heart failure.

7.   Previous research has suggested that viruses may trigger the autoimmune response in diseases like MS.