Mixed connective tissue disease connective tissue disease is not necessarily associated with serum antibodies directed against the U1-RNP, and MCTD is associated with a more clearly defined set of signs/symptoms. MCTD combines features of scleroderma, myositis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and rheumatoid arthritis (with some sources adding polymyositis, dermatomyositis, and inclusion body myositis) and is thus considered an overlap syndrome. MCTD commonly causes: It has been associated with HLA-DR4. Distinguishing laboratory characteristics are a positive, speckled anti-nuclear antibody and an anti-U1-RNP antibody. The prognosis of mixed connective tissue disease is in one third of cases worse than that of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In spite
Avian immune system Avian immune system The avian immune system refers to the system of biological structures and cellular processes that protects birds from disease. The avian immune system resembles that of mammals since both evolved from a common reptilian ancestor and have inherited many commonalities. They have also developed a number of different strategies that are unique to birds. Most avian immunology research has been carried out on the domestic chicken, "Gallus gallus domesticus". Birds have lymphoid tissues, B cells, T cells, cytokines and chemokines like many other animals. In addition, they can also have tumours, immune deficiency and autoimmune diseases. The