Lupus Flares May Be Linked to Damage to Mitochondria, Study Reports

Excessive production of type I interferon (IFN-I) — a molecule that mediates immune and inflammatory responses — in people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may be caused by small fragments of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) that are released upon damage, a study suggested. The study, “VDAC oligomers…

Researchers Find Lupus Immune Reactions are Triggered by Neutrophil Oxidized Mitochondrial DNA

Texas researchers found that neutrophils, a type of immune cell, release oxidized mitochondrial DNA, triggering immune reactions in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The findings provide insights into key disease mechanisms, which might be employed in the development of new therapies for this complex and devastating disease. The research team at…