The antinuclear antibody or ANA is a group of antibodies generated by the immune system which attacks the body’s tissues, specifically the nucleus of each cell. This substance is found in the blood and can be detected through the Antinuclear Antibody Test, determining if the body has an autoimmune disease.
Antibodies are proteins produced by the immune system that help the body detect and fight infections. They target damaging substances like viruses and bacteria by stimulating the immune system to destroy them.
However, sometimes these antibodies unintentionally damage the body’s healthy cells and tissues. This event is known as the autoimmune response, where the antibodies turn into antinuclear antibodies.