Researchers have identified a key molecular pathway that drives the maturation of antibody-producing B-cells, capable of weeding out harmful pathogens. The discovery may allow scientists to manipulate antibody responses to create new treatments for autoimmune diseases such as lupus. The study, “A TRAF-like motif of the inducible costimulator ICOS controls development of germinal center TFHcells via…
A California lawmaker, Sen. John Moorlach, has led a successful effort to designate May as California Lupus Awareness Month. The state’s Senate approved the resolution with a resounding 36-0 vote — cheered on by California’s three lupus organziations, the Lupus Foundation of Northern California, the Lupus Foundation of Southern California, and…
Immuno-molecular profiling of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients has uncovered a personalized molecular signature underlying disease activity that may help scientists develop new tailored therapeutics. The study, “Personalized Immunomonitoring Uncovers Molecular Networks that Stratify Lupus Patients,” was recently published in the journal Cell. SLE, which predominantly affects young women, is…
Salk Institute researchers have shown how FDA-approved rapamycin might have an additional therapeutic effect due to its ability to target the neural damage associated with Leigh syndrome and, potentially, other neurodegenerative diseases. The drug has also been shown to alter the immune system, extend patients’ lifespan, and treat disorders such as lupus…
The American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA), celebrating its 25th year, recently announced its #AutoimmuneHeroes for April, which is national volunteer month in the U.S. The AARDA campaign honors those individuals who have supported the group’s work throughout the years. Those spotlighted in AARDA’s #AutoimmuneHeroes campaign are people and organizations contributing…
TxCell SA and Ospedale San Raffaele (OSR) announced the launch of a strategic research and development collaboration that will include efforts to treat lupus nephritis, one of the most severe complications of lupus, using TxCell’s proprietary Chimeric-Antigen-Receptor engineered regulatory T (CAR-Treg) cells, an immunotherapy. Under the agreement, TxCell and OSR will conduct preclinical pharmacology and toxicology…
Defects that disrupt the digestion of dead cells can result in a lupus-like autoimmune disorder, according to a study titled “Noncanonical autophagy inhibits the autoinflammatory, lupus-like response to dying cells” and recently published in the journal Nature by scientists at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Researchers from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, in collaboration with several other institutions, published findings from a lupus study in which they discovered a new approach to controlling the inflammation and tissue damage that is a hallmark of the chronic autoimmune disorder. The study, “Noncanonical autophagy…
Japanese researchers reported a rare case of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) accompanying the onset of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a patient. The study, “Bilateral Abducens Nerve Palsy due to Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension as an Initial Manifestation of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus,” was published in Internal Medicine. IIH is a syndrome…
Rheumatology Associates, one of the country’s largest rheumatology specialty practices, announced it has recruited Dr. Padmapriya Sivaraman, the 15th board-certified rheumatologist to join the team and increasing office locations to eight with a new office in North Richland Hills, a suburb of Fort Worth, Texas. Rheumatology Associates, founded in 1975,…