A rare autoimmune disorder popularized by the autobiography and movie "Brain on Fire" is triggered by an attack on NMDA receptors. The disease occurs when antibodies attack NMDA receptors in the brain, leading to memory loss, intellectual changes, seizures, and death. Read More
A key finding in the origins of lupus has been discovered. In those with systemic lupus erythematosus, B cells are abnormally activated. This results in the production of antibodies which react against the patient's own tissue, causing a range of symptoms including rashes, joint pain, and fatigue. Read More
A newly discovered subset of dendritic cells have been implicated in sexually transmitted HIV infection. The CD11c+ dendritic cells are found in human genital tissue at the epithelial level. They are the first immune cells to interact with the HIV virus. The cells directly transfer the virus to CD4 T cells, making them key drivers in HIV transmission. Read More
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Using a range of clinical techniques, including deep learning, researcher identify changes in the microbiome of people with fibromyalgia which were not associated with diet, medications or aging. Additionally, the severity of symptoms was directly correlated with an increased presence, or more pronounced absence, of certain bacterias. Read More
Pregnancy Compensation Hypothesis may explain why women are more prone to developing autoimmune diseases, like multiple sclerosis and lupus, than men. Read More
12 genes associated with familial multiple sclerosis have been identified. The findings provide a molecular rationale for the chronic inflammation, demyelination and neurodegeneration associated with MS. Identifying new genetic targets could help with the development of novel treatments to prevent multiple sclerosis in those with a genetic risk. Read More
Extracting nanosized exosomes from bone marrow stem cells and injecting them into mice, researchers reverse symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Read More
Researchers have developed small molecules that inhibit one of the main enzymes implicated in autoimmune response. The research could lead to potential new medications for a range of autoimmune diseases. Read More
Researchers consider why those with autoimmune diseases are more likely to have a previous diagnosis of stress-related disorders. Read More
Rare gene variants BLK and BANK1 are present in a substantial percentage of people with Lupus. The genetic variants suppress 1RF5 and type-1 1Fn in B cells, causing dysfunction in the immune cells. Read More
Chronic social stress in mice induces the expression of virulent genes in the gut microbiota. The altered microbiota increases the presence of effector T helper cells in the lymph nodes and induces myelin autoreactive cells. Exposure to chronic stress, therefore, may increase the risk of developing autoimmune diseases for some individuals with a susceptibility. Read More
In uveitis, microglia facilitates the entry of inflammatory immune cells into the retina, enabling the host immune responses to attack cells not normally recognized by the immune system. Read More