Scientists Find Key To Reversing Lupus
Recent research suggests that lupus, an autoimmune disease, may be caused by a specific defect in the immune system that could potentially be reversed, offering a pathway towards a cure. Published in Nature, the study indicates that lupus may arise from malfunctions in an immune pathway regulated by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). This pathway normally governs how immune cells respond to environmental factors like pollutants and bacteria.
Dr. Jaehyuk Choi, from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, noted that insufficient activation of the AHR pathway leads to an overproduction of immune cells that attack the body’s own tissues instead of foreign invaders. By fully activating this pathway, researchers believe they can reduce the number of these harmful cells. Choi expressed optimism that if these effects prove lasting, it could signify a potential cure for lupus, which is characterized by systemic inflammation that can severely damage organs such as the kidneys, heart, and brain.
Current treatments for lupus typically involve broad immunosuppression, leaving patients susceptible to infections. Choi highlighted the limitations of these approaches, describing them as “blunt instruments” that do not address the underlying cause of the disease. Identifying this immune system defect offers a promising alternative that may avoid the side effects associated with current therapies.
In their experiments, researchers tested AHR-activating drugs on blood samples from lupus patients. They observed that this treatment seemed to reprogram the cells responsible for causing lupus, potentially redirecting them towards functions that could promote healing rather than inflammation. Dr. Deepak Rao, a rheumatologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and co-author of the study, underscored the significance of these findings. He noted that the research identified a fundamental imbalance in immune responses in lupus patients and identified specific ways to correct this imbalance, potentially mitigating the autoimmune response.
Looking ahead, researchers plan to build on these findings by developing new treatments for lupus that target the AHR pathway. This approach aims to address the root cause of the disease more precisely, potentially offering more effective and safer alternatives to current therapies.
Discussion about this post