New Breakthrough In Lupus Treatments

Researchers at Monash University have discovered revolutionary treatments to help those dealing with lupus save thousands of people each year from serious illness or death caused by secondary infections.

This widespread autoimmune disease that can attack any part of the body is estimated to affect one in 1,000 Australians and 5 million people worldwide, with victims who are typically young women. Indigenous and Asian people are also more likely to suffer higher rates from the health issue than other groups, according to health officials.

Current treatments for lupus essentially 'switch off' the patient's immune system to stop it attacking their body, according to lead researcher Dr Will Figgett, from Monash University's Department of Immunology, leaving many vulnerable to pass infection on, given that they are often in the hospital due to the severity of their case.

In healthy individuals, B cells take care of diseases that produce antibodies that destroy invading pathogens. For lupus sufferers, B cells are misdirected to also produce autoantibodies or cells that destroy the patient's own healthy tissue. More commonly though, lupus affects the skin and joints. However, in more severe cases, it can also hit the brain, kidneys and other places in the body.

During the study, researchers specifically worked to find a way that might stop the immune system by focusing on the B cells or the ‘soldiers' of the immune system, which rely on B cell Activating Factor of the TNF Family (BAFF). However, too much BAFF can also cause lupus to develop.

Each B cell carries three different kinds of receptors that detect BAFF in the blood stream that are known as BAFF-R, BCMA, and TACI. It's the TACI receptors that respond to excesses of BAFF, becoming overstimulating and triggering production of stronger autoantibodies that attack healthy tissue.

Findings revealed that if the TACI receptor is deleted, the B cells remain intact. However, lupus does not develop no matter how much BAFF is in the blood, suggesting that while B cells are vital, the TACI receptor itself may not be crucial for fighting off diseases.