Mechanism Behind Autoimmune Diseases Found

[Guest guest]

Mechanism Behind Autoimmune Diseases Found

-- Preidt

FRIDAY, Oct. 21 (HealthDay News) -- A mechanism that could result in

autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or diabetes

has been identified by researchers at National Jewish Medical and

Research Center.

They found that a form of potentially harmful immune system B cells

circulating in the body are not permanently inactivated as previously

believed. It turns out these harmful B cells can reactivate and

launch attacks on the body's own tissue.

" Keeping self-reactive B cells in a quiescent state is crucial for

the prevention of autoimmunity. Our findings show how these cells can

be reactivated and suggest lines of research that may lead to

therapies for autoimmune diseases, " research leader Cambier,

chairman of the integrated department of immunology at National

Jewish and the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, said in

a prepared statement.

Normally, these dangerous B cells are kept in a state of suspended

animation, which prevents them from attacking body tissue. However,

this study suggests that an active bacterial infection may draw self-

reactive B cells to lymphoid organs -- such as the tonsils or lymph

nodes -- where a strong immune/inflammatory response to the infection

causes the cells to reawaken and trigger an autoimmune disease.

The findings were published online in Nature Immunology.

" There have been reports linking the onset of autoimmunity with a

preceding bacterial infection, " study author Gauld, a

postdoctoral fellow in Cambier's lab, said in a prepared statement.

" We are now conducting experiments to determine the role of pro-

inflammatory or bacterial products in the loss of B-cell anergy

(suspended animation). We are also seeking to better understand the

intracellular events that lead to anergy and its loss. Either of

these lines of research could uncover potential targets for

autoimmune therapy, " Gauld said.

More information

The U.S. National Women's Health Information Center has more about

autoimmune diseases.

http://www.forbes.com/lifestyle/health/feeds/hscout/2005/10/21/

hscout528602.html

[Guest guest]

This is a fascinating one, a. I wonder how B-cell depletion/rituximab

could fit in?

Not an MD

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

[ ] Mechanism Behind Autoimmune Diseases Found

> Mechanism Behind Autoimmune Diseases Found

> -- Preidt

>

> FRIDAY, Oct. 21 (HealthDay News) -- A mechanism that could result in

> autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or diabetes

> has been identified by researchers at National Jewish Medical and

> Research Center.

>

> They found that a form of potentially harmful immune system B cells

> circulating in the body are not permanently inactivated as previously

> believed. It turns out these harmful B cells can reactivate and

> launch attacks on the body's own tissue.

>

> " Keeping self-reactive B cells in a quiescent state is crucial for

> the prevention of autoimmunity. Our findings show how these cells can

> be reactivated and suggest lines of research that may lead to

> therapies for autoimmune diseases, " research leader Cambier,

> chairman of the integrated department of immunology at National

> Jewish and the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, said in

> a prepared statement.

>

> Normally, these dangerous B cells are kept in a state of suspended

> animation, which prevents them from attacking body tissue. However,

> this study suggests that an active bacterial infection may draw self-

> reactive B cells to lymphoid organs -- such as the tonsils or lymph

> nodes -- where a strong immune/inflammatory response to the infection

> causes the cells to reawaken and trigger an autoimmune disease.

>

> The findings were published online in Nature Immunology.

>

> " There have been reports linking the onset of autoimmunity with a

> preceding bacterial infection, " study author Gauld, a

> postdoctoral fellow in Cambier's lab, said in a prepared statement.

>

> " We are now conducting experiments to determine the role of pro-

> inflammatory or bacterial products in the loss of B-cell anergy

> (suspended animation). We are also seeking to better understand the

> intracellular events that lead to anergy and its loss. Either of

> these lines of research could uncover potential targets for

> autoimmune therapy, " Gauld said.

>

> More information

>

> The U.S. National Women's Health Information Center has more about

> autoimmune diseases.

>

>

> http://www.forbes.com/lifestyle/health/feeds/hscout/2005/10/21/

> hscout528602.html