Years of persistent detective work allowed researchers to discover a gene mutation that increases the risk of systemic lupus erythematosus and other autoimmune diseases Interestingly, the gene is also associated with lower production of reactive oxygen species. These chemicals, which contain oxygen, play roles in cell signaling and homeostasis, or…
Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) had lower disease activity when they took the investigational treatment anifrolumab along with standard medications, according to a recently completed Phase 2b clinical trial (NCT01438489). Noting the treatment’s potential to target several organs and ease the  disease’s symptoms, researchers called the trial “the…
Researchers have identified a factor that controls immune cells’ entry into joints, which leads to arthritis in diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Though they are studying other factors in the process, they believe these findings could lead to new treatments that are more effective in preventing arthritis. “Inflammatory arthritis is caused when immune…
Blocking a protein that controls the immune system’s reaction to a virus may also be used to prevent autoimmune reactions in diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, research indicates. Although the PLSCR1 protein was discovered in the brain, researchers are exploring its role in inflammatory diseases throughout the body. An…
A consortium of European researchers has received nearly 15 million euros in European Commission funding to study chronic inflammatory diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus. The goal is to develop treatments that target the root causes of the diseases. The grant, the equivalent of $16 million, is also aimed at developing…
Cytori Therapeutics will expand the scope of its Habeo Cell Therapy (ECCS-50) for secondary Raynaud’s phenomenon to include patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and other autoimmune conditions in addition to scleroderma patients. It made the decision after a pilot trial (NCT01813279) of the cell therapy helped 12 scleroderma patients…
Researchers are learning how signals about disease-related inflammatory activity are sent from the body to the brain — insight that could lead to manipulating nerves to treat autoimmune conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus. A team at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research in New York discovered that different immune…
Researchers have uncovered genetic differences explaining why autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, affect women more than men. And opposed to what earlier research suggested, the mechanisms are unrelated to sex hormones. The findings indicate that it may be crucial for scientists to study male and female disease separately.
The immune factor interferon-lambda may be a key driver of lupus nephritis, according to a recent study that showed persistently high levels of the factor were linked to a poor response to treatment. The study, “Interferon (IFN)-λ is a potential mediator in lupus nephritis,” was published in the journal …
Eye damage, also referred to as retinopathy, caused by systemic lupus erythematosus may be a sign of more severe disease, as patients with lupus retinopathy have kidney damage more often than patients without eye disease. As lupus retinopathy is suggested to reflect damage to small blood vessels throughout the body,…