Posts Tagged ‘lupus’
Genomes of identical twins reveal epigenetic changes that may play role in lupus
Identical twins look the same and are nearly genetically identical, but environmental factors and the resulting cellular changes could cause disease in one sibling and not the other. Scientists have studied twins discordant for the autoimmune disease lupus, mapping DNA modifications across the genome and shedding light on epigenetic changes that may play a role in the disease.
Cellular Mechanism That Causes Lupus-like Symptoms In Mice Identified
Macrophages, the scavenger cells of the body’s immune system, are responsible for disposing of dying cells. Researchers have identified one pathway in this important process in mice that, if disrupted, causes a lupus-like autoimmune disease.
Immune Responses To Flu Vaccine Are Diminished In Lupus Patients
Because morbidity and mortality related to influenza are increased in immunocompromised patients, such as patients with the autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus, it is recommended that patients with SLE get annual flu shots, which are safe and do not increase disease activity. Both antibody and cell-mediated responses are involved in the immune response to influenza; in SLE, antibody responses to the vaccine are diminished, but it is not known if the same effect is seen in cell-mediated responses.
Key Culprits In Lupus Discovered
The more than 1.5 million Americans with systemic lupus erythematosus (or lupus) suffer from a variety of symptoms that flare and subside, often including painful or swollen joints, extreme fatigue, skin rashes, fever and kidney problems. Researchers have now identified the main trigger for the development of this disease.
Anxiety And Depression Lower Quality Of Life In Majority Of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients
Ninety-three percent of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus suffer anxiety and depression which significantly affects both their physical and emotional quality of life (QoL), according to the results of a new study. Logistic regression analysis revealed that depression was the most significant factor shown to affect QoL.
Novel DNA Vaccine Leads To Kidney Damage Prevention In Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Models
DNA vaccination using lupus autoantigens and interleukin-10 (IL-10, a cytokine that plays an important role in regulating the immune system) has potential as a novel therapy to induce antigen specific tolerance and may help to prevent kidney damage in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, according to a new study.
DNA Compounds Could Help Treat Lupus
Scientists have generated DNA-like compounds that effectively inhibit the cells responsible for the most common and serious form of lupus. The findings could eventually lead to new treatments for this difficult disease, which affects up to one million Americans.
Alternative Therapy For Lupus Nephritis
Lupus is a rare but serious disease that mainly affects women of child-bearing age and occurs when the body’s immune system goes awry, damaging a variety of organs. When kidneys are targeted, patients develop lupus nephritis, which can result in kidney failure and death. Lupus nephritis is often treated with the cancer drug cyclophosphamide, which suppresses the immune system but also causes hair loss, nausea, vomiting and infertility.
Oral Contraceptives Associated With Increased Risk Of Lupus
The ratio of women to men with the autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus is nine to one and the incidence increases after puberty. Hormones secreted by the body are therefore believed to play an important role in the origins of the disease.
Gene Linked To Lupus Might Explain Gender Difference In Disease Risk
In an international human genetic study, researchers have identified a gene linked to the autoimmune disease lupus, and its location on the X chromosome might help explain why females are 10 times more susceptible to the disease than males.
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