Articles tagged with Lupus
A recent study published in Nature Genetics has found a genetic mutation linked to systemic lupus erythematosus, a complex autoimmune disease. The discovery identifies variations of the TREX1 gene as a risk factor for developing lupus, shedding new light on its causes and potentially paving the way for new treatments.
Researchers found a genetic link between high levels of interferon-alpha and an increased risk of developing lupus. The study suggests that individuals with high interferon-alpha levels may be more likely to develop the disease, especially if triggered by environmental factors.
A study found that 36% of refractory SLE patients remained well after undergoing B-cell depletion therapy, with median duration of B-cell depletion being 4 months. Patients with low baseline serum C3 levels and anti-ENA antibodies were more likely to flare after treatment.
Treatment with belimumab resulted in a sustained improvement of SLE disease activity in 46% of patients at week 52, according to the study. The novel combined responder index takes into account three measures of disease progression and is associated with biomarker improvements and quality of life enhancements.
Researchers have identified a well-known cell receptor that sends a 'nondanger' signal to dampen the immune system. This discovery raises the possibility of targeting this receptor to prevent overzealous immune responses in transplant patients and alleviate symptoms of autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.
Researchers found that while both treatments showed promise, treatment 2 was associated with a higher risk of disease recurrence and shingles. The study suggests that patients should be thoroughly informed about the pros and cons of each treatment to make an informed decision.
A study found that Medicaid patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) travel longer distances to see specialists, including rheumatologists. This indicates potential barriers in accessing comprehensive medical services closer to their residences.
A study published in Arthritis Care & Research found that patients with rheumatic diseases experience increased psychological distress and depression, particularly due to appearance concerns. The results suggest that targeting appearance concerns can improve mood and reduce the impact of the disease on mental health.
Research shows that patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who have anti-NMDA receptor antibodies may experience amygdala damage, leading to altered emotional responses. The study suggests a link between the immune system and brain function in SLE.
A multi-study review found that low impact aerobic exercise significantly reduced fatigue in adults with multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. Effective interventions included supervised exercise classes and home-based programmes, lasting up to 12 weeks.
The Baylor Research Institute has received a $6.2 million grant to establish a Center for Lupus Research, which will focus on understanding the immune system's role in lupus. The center aims to identify how lupus alters cells of the immune system, leading to abnormal protein levels and disease activity.
Researchers have developed a new way to track neuropsychiatric symptoms in lupus using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), which measures biochemical changes in the body. The study found that MRS can detect changes in metabolites, such as glutamate and glutamine, that correlate with behavioral tests.
A nationwide study of over 18 million women found that pregnant women with systemic lupus have a significantly higher risk of death or medical complications compared to those without the disease. The study suggests that these women should be closely monitored by healthcare providers and consider planning their pregnancies carefully.
Researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine have identified micro-ribonucleic acids (micro-RNAs) as potential biomarkers for lupus. The study found significant differences in micro-RNA expression between lupus patients and healthy controls, with certain micro-RNAs linked to histone deacetylases and the development of lupus.
The Lupus Research Institute has awarded $4.5 million in grants to 15 scientists to pursue novel lupus research, with a focus on genes, bacteria, and neuropsychiatric lupus. The funding will support both basic and applied studies that aim to advance new treatments for the disease.
Researchers found that a compartment of the spleen called the marginal zone is where autoreactive B cells are primarily located. Transplanting immune cells from this zone into mice with lupus-like disease led to the production of pathogenic antibodies, highlighting the spleen as a potential target for new therapies.
Researchers discovered that a small fraction of IgG antibodies in IVIG carry sialic acid, responsible for its anti-inflammatory effects. The team enriched IVIG for these molecules, increasing its activity by a factor of ten and paving the way for a new class of therapeutics.
Researchers at UT Southwestern identified a defect in the Ly108 gene as a cause of immune cells attacking healthy tissues, leading to systemic lupus erythematosus. The study's findings could lead to better diagnostic tests and therapies for human lupus.
A study published by Northwestern Memorial HealthCare found that high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplant can result in disease remission and improvement or salvage of residual organ function in the majority of patients with life-threatening lupus. The treatment's lower toxicity rate compared to previous studies may b...
A study of 50 patients with treatment-resistant lupus found an overall 5-year survival rate of 84% after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The longest continuous duration of remission was 7.5 years, with a 2% treatment-related death rate.
A study of 183 women with inactive or stable lupus found that taking oral contraceptives had no statistically significant difference in the occurrence of flares compared to those taking a placebo. Mild-to-moderate flares and disease complications were also similar between the two groups over a 12-month follow-up.
Researchers found that MMF was superior to traditional treatment in inducing complete remission and had fewer severe side effects. The new findings offer hope for improving quality of life for millions of people worldwide suffering from lupus.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine suggests that CellCept, a potential treatment for lupus nephritis, holds promise for improving quality of life for those affected by severe kidney disease. The results offer hope for patients who currently suffer debilitating side effects from traditional treatments.
A nationwide randomized clinical trial found that mycophenolate mofetil produced fewer complications than the standard medication Cytoxan in patients with lupus nephritis. The study showed that oral mycophenolate mofetil worked faster in relieving inflamed kidneys and improved patient outcomes.
Researchers have found that women with lupus are at high risk of heart disease due to the presence of pro-inflammatory HDL in their blood. The discovery may lead to an effective test to identify patients at increased risk and prevent cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
Researchers have found that valproic acid reduces skin disease and kidney disease in mice with lupus, a condition affecting over 1 million Americans. The drug has been shown to slow the progression of kidney problems, inflammation, and other symptoms.
Researchers found that Trichostatin A (TSA) reduced lupus symptoms, including kidney inflammation and enlarged spleens, and effectively treated atherosclerosis in mice. The drug works by preventing genes from expressing proteins involved in both diseases, offering hope for simultaneous treatment.
A Stanford study finds that women with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus are at higher risk for adverse outcomes during pregnancy, including hypertension, premature delivery, and cesarean sections. The research highlights the need for better understanding of these autoimmune conditions in pregnant women.
Researchers discovered new histone modifications in mice with a lupus-like condition and found that HDAC inhibitors can reverse them, potentially treating lupus symptoms. The study aims to unravel the mysteries of lupus by exploring epigenetic changes, including histone modifications.
The Lupus Research Institute is awarding $4.5 million to support groundbreaking studies on autoimmune disease, which affects 1.5 million Americans. The grants will be used to investigate the cause, prevention and treatment of lupus, with a focus on novel approaches and collaborations.
Researchers have identified a link between lupus patients and an overabundance of specific immune cells in their tonsils, which may lead to the disease's characteristic auto-reactivity.
Researchers induce indefinite organ allograft survival in rhesus monkeys by stimulating recipient T cells with donor cells, generating immunosuppressive anergic T cells. These cells suppress renal allograft rejection without additional immunosuppressive agents.
A recent study has associated high expression of interferon-inducible genes with increased disease severity in SLE patients, including kidney disease. The findings suggest that determining the expression of these genes may help select patients for clinical studies.
African Americans with lupus have a higher prevalence of EBV-IgG antibodies and EBV-IgA antibodies, which increases the risk of lupus. Genetic variation in CTLA-4 also affects the immune response to EBV in lupus patients.
Researchers found that sera from lupus patients contain antibodies that bind to T cells and suppress IL-2 production through CaMKIV. This deficiency in IL-2 contributes to the autoantibody production seen in lupus, highlighting a new understanding of how microenvironment influences defective T cell function.
Researchers found no causative MEF2A mutations in patients with premature coronary heart disease, contradicting previous findings. The study suggests that another gene may be responsible for the heart disease, casting doubt on the role of MEF2A in CAD.
Researchers discovered a critical 'gatekeeper' function that prevents auto-antibody accumulation in lupus, which can be restored to reverse the disease. Increasing Fc receptor activity by 40% restored health in animal models of lupus.
Autoantibodies disrupt calcium ion fluctuations, leading to toxic build-up and cell death in heart cells. Researchers are searching for the binding target of these antibodies to develop a new way to identify women at risk for congenital heart block.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified a gene family involved in determining the potential for acquiring lupus, a debilitating autoimmune disease that affects more than one million Americans. The study found that genetic susceptibility to lupus results from an imbalance between genes that increase and suppress th...
Researchers have found that variations in the SLAM/CD2 gene cluster may contribute to autoimmune disease SLE in mice. The study suggests that altered members of this family may be responsible for abnormal lymphocyte responses.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have discovered a compound that suppresses cell growth in psoriasis models, offering new hope for treating this life-long genetic condition. The compound, benzodiazepine-423, is selectively applied topically and shows great potential for controlling disease progression.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh identified abnormal levels of protein erythrocyte-C4d in patients with lupus, showing high diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for the disease. This finding may lead to improved diagnosis and treatment options for patients with lupus.
A study published in Nature Medicine reveals that heparin works by blocking the activation of the complement pathway, a series of inflammatory proteins involved in pregnancy loss and placental injury. This new mechanism suggests potential targeted therapy for patients with antiphospholipid syndrome.
A study by Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center found that the experimental drug Trichostatin A (TSA) significantly reduced atherosclerosis in mice. TSA treatment decreased aortic arch deposits and macrophage gathering, leading to increased plaque stability.
The new Mayo Clinic research indicates that mycophenolate mofetil could help many more lupus patients, offering a potential alternative to existing treatments with fewer side effects. Currently, there is no curative treatment for SLE, and many medications used to treat this disease have considerable side effects.
A study led by the University of Rochester Medical Center found that cancer drug rituximab significantly improves health in patients with lupus by reducing B cells. The treatment was effective for 11 out of 17 patients, with many able to reduce or discontinue traditional medications.
A year-long clinical trial found that prasterone improved disease activity, reduced organ damage, and boosted health-related quality of life for women with active lupus. The treatment, which is safe and effective, could offer an alternative to immunosuppressive agents or large doses of glucocorticoids.
A new cancer drug, SAHA, has shown potential in reducing kidney disease in lupus patients by inhibiting the onset of lupus-related kidney disease and decreasing spleen size. Further studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness and understand its anti-inflammatory properties.
A gene associated with lupus has been identified, suggesting a potential breakthrough in diagnosing and treating the disease. The discovery could lead to earlier intervention and more effective therapies.
A study found that genetically modified mice lacking SAP gene develop normal immune functions despite pristane exposure, which typically induces lupus-like symptoms. The researchers suggest targeting SAP for treatment may be an ideal approach to developing new drug treatments for autoimmune diseases.
Researchers at the NIH will conduct a clinical study to assess the safety and efficacy of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in treating severe forms of lupus. The study aims to create a new immune system that doesn't attack healthy cells, offering hope for patients with limited treatment options.
A Northwestern University study found that COX-2 inhibitors can block lupus autoimmunity by targeting a specific molecular pathway. The researchers identified structural peculiarity in some COX-2 inhibitors as the key to their effectiveness, which may lead to the development of new treatments.
A new study by Stanford Peng and colleagues has found that a gene called Foxj1 helps keep immune attack cells inactive. This discovery may lead to the development of new treatments for autoimmune diseases, including lupus and multiple sclerosis.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that people with lupus are more likely to develop fatty deposits in their arteries, accelerating atherosclerosis. The risk is higher in patients who have had the disease longer and those who have used less immunosuppressive treatment.
A new study suggests that maternal circulating cells can migrate to the heart of infants, potentially causing a damaging immune response. The research, led by Dr. Anne Stevens, found that these cells were present at higher levels in the hearts of babies with neonatal lupus syndrome, which can cause severe heart damage.
Researchers found that levels of apoptotic endothelial cells in lupus patients correlated with their vascular function and symptoms, suggesting a high risk of heart disease. The study suggests that lupus patients' heightened heart risk may be due to the rapid death and slow replacement of endothelial cells.
Researchers found that lupus patients' autoantibodies accumulated in the blood in a predictable pattern before diagnosis, slowing down after therapy. The study's findings may help identify and monitor people at risk of developing autoimmune diseases like lupus.
A study by Victoria Werth and Kathleen E. Sullivan identified a variant of the TNF-alpha promoter that shows increased activity when exposed to sunlight, leading to cellular death and inflammation in lupus patients. This discovery could lead to the development of new treatments for photosensitivity in lupus patients.
A new study by Oklahoma researchers has identified autoantibodies years before the clinical features of lupus and found specific autoantibodies close to disease onset. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, holds important clinical value and may lead to new therapies for the disease.
In a four-year study, scientists found that gray wolves consumed a diverse range of species, promoting ecosystem diversity and health. In contrast, hunter kills were dominated by less mobile scavengers, indicating that hunters have a smaller impact on the Yellowstone ecosystem.