Researchers from Northwestern Medicine and Brigham and Women’s Hospital have discovered the underlying cause of lupus, shedding light on a key mystery behind one of the most common autoimmune diseases affecting hundreds of thousands of people in the United States.
The study, published Wednesday in the journal Nature, points to an abnormality in the immune system of lupus patients, providing a clear pathway for how the disease develops.
Dr. Deepak Rao, a rheumatologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, explained that the imbalance in the types of T cells that lupus patients make is at the heart of this discovery. By comparing blood samples from lupus patients with healthy individuals, the study revealed that lupus patients have too many T cells involved in damaging healthy cells, and too few T cells involved in repair.
The study also highlighted the role of interferons, proteins that defend the body against pathogens. Too much type I interferon in lupus patients can lead to adverse outcomes by blocking a protein called the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, which helps regulate the body’s response to bacteria and environmental pollutants.
Although the findings offer hope for new treatments, experts caution that more research is needed to fully understand the complexities of lupus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that more than 200,000 in the United States have lupus, with as many as 1.5 million affected individuals.
Common symptoms of lupus include extreme fatigue, joint pain, and skin rashes. In severe cases, lupus can cause kidney or heart damage, as well as a weakened immune system that increases susceptibility to infections.
The research suggests potential new treatments, such as drugs that target interferon or activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, but challenges remain in finding effective and safe ways to administer these treatments.
While the study provides valuable insights into lupus, researchers emphasize the need for further investigation and clinical trials to develop personalized treatment options for individuals with this complex autoimmune disease.
Source: www.nbcnews.com
