Scientists may have discovered a primary cause of lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease that affects millions of Americans. Researchers from Northwestern Medicine and Brigham and Women’s Hospital claim to have found a “molecular defect” that leads to systemic lupus erythematosus, also known as lupus. The study findings were published in the journal Nature.
The researchers tested the blood of 19 lupus patients and compared it to a control group of healthy individuals. They found certain molecular changes in the lupus patients that caused an imbalance in the types of T-cells they generate. This imbalance resulted in too many “harmful” T-cells and too few of the “helpful” type necessary for cell repair.
The study also identified a protein called interferon that promotes the excess accumulation of T cells. The researchers believe that targeting this protein could lead to a new potential therapeutic strategy to treat lupus.
Dr. Mara Lennard Richard from the Lupus Research Alliance in New York City expressed hope in the findings, stating that they may pave the way for a potential new treatment for lupus. Dr. Brooke Goldner, a board-certified physician, also highlighted the importance of targeted immune therapy using T cells and B cells in lupus research.
While more research is needed to confirm these results, the study provides a promising avenue for improving the lives of people living with lupus. Lupus is a complex disease with many contributing factors, and new treatments are needed to address its symptoms effectively.
