How lupus T cells lose IL-2

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How lupus T cells lose IL-2

By Journal of Clinical Investigation

Apr 3, 2005, 13:11

Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease that causes inflammation,

particularly of the skin, joints, blood, and kidneys. Patients with

lupus produce antibodies against their own proteins. Patients also have

immune T cells that produce a protein called IL-2, which normally

usually protects against infection, at lower than typical levels. In a

study appearing in the April 1 print edition of The Journal of Clinical

Investigation, Tsokos and colleagues from the Walter Army

Institute of Research explore the mechanisms underlying this decreased

IL-2 production.

The researchers find that sera from lupus patients contains antibodies

that bind to T cells and activate a complex cellular signaling cascade

that ultimately results in decreased IL-2 production. This deficiency

in IL-2 could result in the autoantibody production that occurs in

lupus.

In an accompanying commentary, Kammer of Arthritis Associates, Inc

points out " the contribution by Tsokos and his colleagues…provides a

new appreciation and insight into how the microenvironment in lupus can

further impinge on a defective T cell to inhibit IL-2 production. From

such studies will come the inspiration and novel approaches necessary

to develop therapeutic tools to abate disease and improve the quality

of life of our patients. "