New Mechanism Behind Autoimmunity Development Found
Dr. Marko Pesu of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) has discovered through in-depth analysis of mice that where the protein furin, an enzyme that plays an important role in the functioning of T-Cells, is removed or inhibited due to drug intervention, there could be a resultant side effect of increasing risk of autoimmune disease development. Doctors prescribe therapies to patients, many suffering from cancer, cystic fibrosis, or infectious disease, to inhibit the furin protein in an attempt to reduce malignant cell growth as well as to impede infections.
Anthirheumatic, Antimalarial Treatment Reduces Diabetes Risk in People with Rheumatoid Arthritis
A study by doctors Mary Chester M. Wasko, of the University of Pittsburgh, and Michael M. Ward, of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) Intramural Research Program, has discovered that hydroxychloroquine, a remedy utilized to treat rheumatic diseases and malaria, has been proven to reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The study included 384 people who, after taking the medication for four years showed a radical reduction in the risk of diabetes of up to 77 percent.
New Pathway Shows Promise for Tempering Inflammatory Response
Scientists have identified a pathway in which the cells of the body react to lessen the effects of inflammation. According to researchers, a cell-signaling protein (IL-10) is secreted in order to suppress the immune system in response to inflammation caused by autoimmune diseases. While the process was identified, researchers were unclear as to the cause of the secretion of IL-10. New research has discovered a pathway, however which shows that two additional proteins (IL-27 and IL-6) prompt T helper cells to secrete IL-10, suppressing the immune system in response to inflammation. According to researchers, "Production of IL-10 by TCells is a critical way in which autoimmune responses are held in check...If we can tease out the intricacies of the regulation of IL-10,...we may be able to see how autoimmune diseases develop and to design possible treatments for those they affect".
Gene Expression Could Help Diagnose, Monitor Muscle Diseases
A study of 44 patients suffering from polymyositis, and dermatomyositis, as well as individuals with other muscle diseases, and 12 patients without muscle disease has found that a group of genes that produce type I interferon -/ (IFN/) were shown to be over expressed in those with polymyositis or dermatomyositis. The opposite was found to be true in those with other muscle diseases. Researchers also discovered that gene expression decreased when patients were responding to current treatments. What this research represents for patients is the possibility of a new test for these diseases that would be significantly less invasive, as it would be in the form of a blood test rather than a surgical muscle biopsy. The new test would also have the capability of monitoring treatment response.
Ankylosing Spondylitis Genes Found
Scientists have identified two genes now thought to be responsible for the development of ankylosing spondylitis. Previous studies had suggested that the cause of ankylosing spondylitis is 90 percent genetic. With the location of the disease-causing genes being identified, the greatest genetic risk for ankylosing spondylitis has been identified. Notably, researchers say that the location of the genes does not coincide with other known genes causing autoimmune diseases, suggesting that ankylosing spondylitis may not in fact be an autoimmune disease. Study leader Dr. John D. Reveille, says, "I think these give us the genetic handles to identify the pathways that are involved in AS. Once you know dysregulated pathway, you can find a drug to either strengthen or inhibit the pathway." The location of these new genes could also allow for more blood tests to determine a patient's risk of developing AS. AS is a chronic inflammatory arthritis typified by joint stiffness, pain, and extra bone growth often resulting in partial or complete fusion of the spine. Most often AS attacks adolescent and young adult males. No cures currently exist.
Researchers Correlate Clinical Criteria and Associated Antibodies in Lupus Patients
Patients may now have a greater opportunity to receive early diagnosis for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Scientist have found that prior to diagnosis, symptoms as defined by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) as well as autoantibodies were present. SLE has historically been difficult to diagnosis due to the irregular nature of the disease, according to patients, symptoms come and go over time, resulting in a diagnosis that comes too late to avoid serious organ damage. New research found that in 80 percent of patients studied, at least one symptom for SLE was apparent prior to diagnosis of the disease. In addition, those patients who developed symptoms as well as autoantibodies, showed evidence of autoantibodies being present prior to diagnosis by 84 percent. Further study and clinical work is needed in this area, however it may provide new testing methods for early diagnosis for systemic lupus erythematosus.
NIAID Media Availability: Type 1 Diabetes May Result from Good Genes Behaving Badly
Scientists have found that type 1 diabetes may not be the result of inborn genetic errors or gene variants passed on through generations within families, but from normal genes that express themselves differently when exposed to external stimuli such as environmental factors. The results of the study suggest that type 1 diabetes is not resultant from a genetic mutation but from the different methods that normal genes and gene variants react to external stimuli or the method by which they are turned on or off.
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