UK study shows new method of 'switching off' autoimmune diseases ?

Cut and pasted from: http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/news/general-news/2014/september/uk-study-shows-new-method-of-switching-off-autoimmune-diseases.aspx

UK study shows new method of 'switching off' autoimmune diseases Published on 08 September 2014

A new UK study has shed light on a possible new method of 'switching off' the cellular process that drives the progression of autoimmune diseases such as lupus and arthritis.

University of Bristol researchers have devised a new technique for stopping autoimmune cells from attacking healthy body tissue, reversing the process and ensuring the immune system goes back to its intended function of protecting against disease.

Published in the medical journal Nature Communications, the study showed how administration of fragments of the proteins that are normally the target for attack can help to correct the autoimmune response. Effective treatment was achieved by gradually increasing the dose of antigenic fragment injected.

The team was also able to find changes in gene expression that help explain how effective treatment leads to the conversion of aggressor cells into protectors. This makes it possible to help the immune system ignore its own tissues, while remaining capable of protecting against infection.

It is thought that this new technique can offer a number of advantages, as it specifically targets the cells at fault, rather than inhibiting the immune system as a whole using immunosuppressive drugs. This current technique can lead to harmful side effects such as infections, tumours and the disruption of natural regulatory mechanisms.

Study leader Professor David Wraith said: "Insight into the molecular basis of antigen-specific immunotherapy opens up exciting new opportunities to enhance the selectivity of the approach, while providing valuable markers with which to measure effective treatment.

"These findings have important implications for the many patients suffering from autoimmune conditions that are currently difficult to treat."

A spokesman for Arthritis Research UK said the research by the Bristol team was promising.

"Finding new and better ways of targeting treatment for autoimmune conditions is a focus of much of our and others' research focus," she added.

Emis Moderator comment: this information was posted in another group and there is an article linked below which includes a link at the bottom to the full paper if anyone wants to read it.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/09/140903092157.htm

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