Articles tagged with Lupus
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.
The Atherosclerosis Prevention in Pediatric Lupus Erythematosus (APPLE) trial will study the effect of statins on preventing buildup of fat in arteries. The trial aims to find a new method of preventing cardiac disease in lupus patients.
A gene defect in Ro protein causes a lupus-like disorder by exposing defective ribonucleoproteins to the immune system, triggering autoantibody production. The study suggests that Ro normally plays a protective role by hiding defective complexes from the immune system.
Researchers discovered that SpA, a staph protein, causes B cell suicide in mice. Properly dosed injections of SpA may control immune system over-activity and potentially treat lupus. The study provides a promising lead for future development of B-cell based therapy.
Researchers have identified a promising drug development strategy for lupus by targeting the Tall-1 molecule. Binding studies revealed that a short section of one binding domain on Baff-R holds promise, potentially preventing lupus-like symptoms in mice and people with autoimmune diseases.
A team of researchers has found that Trichostatin A significantly reduces excess protein in urine and spleen weight in mice with systemic lupus. The compound may have therapeutic benefits for humans with the disease, which affects up to 70% of lupus patients.
Researchers have discovered a genetic signature, known as the IFN expression signature, associated with severe lupus symptoms. This signature is linked to interferon activity and has implications for developing new therapies to block IFN pathways in patients with severe lupus.
Rapamycin's impact on dendritic cells suggests potential therapeutic strategies for autoimmune diseases and cancer. The drug may also promote tolerance of transplanted organs.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Lupus Center and Kimmel Cancer Center found that high-dose intravenous cyclophosphamide can lead to complete responses and partial responses in lupus patients who failed standard therapy. The treatment also had fewer side effects compared to traditional treatments.
New studies aim to improve diagnosis and treatment for patients with Neuropsychiatric-SLE, a major cause of death among people with lupus. Researchers will investigate the underlying causes of NP-SLE using new tools and approaches.
Researchers have discovered a novel compound that kills bad immune cells while leaving healthy ones intact, offering hope for safer and more effective treatments for lupus. The compound, Bz-423, targets a protein in immune cells' mitochondria, showing promise in treating autoimmune diseases and potentially some types of cancer.
Researchers have discovered that autoreactive B cells escape normal controls by proliferating and undergoing somatic hypermutation outside the germinal center, leading to the production of autoantibodies in autoimmune diseases like lupus. The study reveals a new understanding of how B cells contribute to the origins of these diseases.
The FDA has cleared a new diagnostic test that aims to detect 20% of SLE cases that previously went undiagnosed due to the limitations of existing blood tests. The test, developed by Mark Roth, uses molecules called SR proteins as biomarkers, improving doctors' ability to make accurate diagnoses and predict disease flare-ups.
The Antiphospholipid Syndrome Collaborative Registry aims to enroll 2,000 patients over five years to better understand the disease, its causes, and treatment options. The registry will facilitate research, diagnosis, and development of diagnostic tests and treatments for antiphospholipid syndrome.
Researchers at Princeton University have pinpointed what appears to be a central cause of lupus, an autoimmune disease that affects 1.4 million Americans. The discovery highlights a specific mechanism in B cells that produces disease-fighting antibodies, which can mistakenly attack the body's own DNA.
Researchers at National Jewish Health have discovered a unique 'flap' on protein Tall-1 crucial to its function, which could lead to new treatments for autoimmunity. The flap-free version of the molecule triggers no biological activity but still binds to receptors.
Researchers have discovered that antibodies attacking DNA in people with lupus can also target molecules controlling glutamate activity, leading to neuron death and possible cognitive symptoms. This finding suggests a potential pathway for neurological complications and may lead to new therapeutic options.
Researchers found that abnormal alpha-interferon secretion in lupus patients leads to hyperactivation of dendritic cells, causing the immune system to attack healthy cells. This abnormal reaction can result in chronic inflammation affecting various organs, including the skin, kidneys, and joints.
Researchers found that bovine thrombin causes an immune response similar to lupus in mice and can lead to post-operative complications. Bovine thrombin is a potent enzyme used in surgical procedures, but its use should be restricted to life-saving surgeries due to the risk of autoimmune responses.
A Phase III study found that Aslera improved bone mineral density in female lupus patients by 1.8% compared to a loss of 1.8%, with greater increases observed in postmenopausal patients. This suggests that Aslera may be effective in preventing osteoporosis and fractures in women with SLE.
A Phase III study found that Aslera significantly improved disease activity and symptoms in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a chronic autoimmune disease. The treatment also showed benefits for bone mineral density, particularly in women on steroids.
GL701 significantly reduced lupus flares, with 18% of patients experiencing flares compared to 34% on placebo. The study also showed improved quality of life and reduced adverse events.
Researchers found that high-dose immune suppression and stem-cell transplantation can lead to long-term remission in lupus patients. The treatment approach has implications for the treatment of other immune disorders, including multiple sclerosis and some types of cancers.
Scientists at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center developed a new diagnostic test for lupus using SR proteins as biomarkers. The color-coded test can identify 50-70% of undiagnosed lupus patients, promising to bridge the detection gap.
Research highlights potential causes of autoimmune diseases, including prenatal exposure to environmental chemicals and certain dietary factors. Studies also explore links between ultraviolet radiation, stress, and exposure to heavy metals.
Dr. Lee Hartwell, president of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, will join four biotechnology leaders in discussing the future of biotechnology. They will address topics such as new methods for diagnosing diseases like lupus and leukemia, and the potential impact on drug development.
Northwestern University researchers have identified key peptides that can halt and even reverse kidney disease in lupus. The peptides were found to be effective in delaying the onset of severe kidney disease in young mice and prolonging survival in adult mice with established kidney disease.
The Lupus Foundation of America has awarded a summer internship to Yale student Su-jean Seo, who is conducting research on antigens targeted in autoimmune diseases like lupus erythematosus at the Wistar Institute. The fellowship will support her work under the supervision of Dr. Jan Erikson.
Caroline Sokol, a researcher at The Wistar Institute, has been awarded the Goldie Simon Preceptorship Award for her work on autoreactive B-cells in systemic lupus erythematosus. She aims to earn a joint M.D./Ph.D. to conduct clinical research and improve understanding of the chronic autoimmune disease.
Andrew Caton, a Wistar Institute scientist, will receive the Lupus Foundation of Philadelphia's prestigious Sheryl N. Hirsch Award for his work on systemic lupus erythematosus. The award recognizes Dr. Caton's efforts to shed light on the role of infections in lupus initiation and exacerbation.
Rockefeller University researchers identify a critical link between autoantibodies and inflammation, suggesting novel ways to uncouple this connection. They found that preventing the activation of antibody receptors by autoantibodies is an effective way to treat autoimmune diseases like lupus.
Researchers have synthesized two protein fragments that effectively immunize mice against lupus. These findings may lead to more focused treatments with fewer side effects.
The new test developed by Prof. Roald Nezlin of the Weizmann Institute solves a problem with standard tests by measuring the quantity of DNA in harmful complexes, indicating effective treatment. This approach could also be used to measure antibody complexes involved in other autoimmune diseases.