Scientists at Northwestern Medicine and Brigham and Women’s Hospital have made a groundbreaking discovery concerning systemic lupus erythematosus ( lupus) that could potentially revolutionize treatment options for the autoimmune disease. Published in Nature, the study unveils a molecular defect that drives the pathological immune response in lupus patients and suggests a promising approach to reverse its effects.
Lupus affects over 1.5 million Americans and can lead to severe organ damage, including the kidneys, brain, and heart. Current treatments, which broadly suppress the immune system, often fall short and carry significant risks of reducing the body’s ability to combat infections, according to the study’s authors.
Dermatologist at Northwestern Medicine and co-corresponding author Dr Jaehyuk Choi, emphasizes the limitations of existing therapies stating that up to now all existing lupus therapy is a blunt instrument. Additionally Choi says that the new findings offer hope for a more targeted treatment approach by identifying a specific cause of the disease.
Co-corresponding author and rheumatologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital Dr. Deepak Rao said that they identified a fundamental immune responses imbalance common with lupus patients and they have defined certain mediators that can potentially correct this imbalance. The research identifies a pathway driven by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) that becomes dysregulated in lupus, leading to an overabundance of T peripheral helper cells.
To demonstrate the potential therapeutic implications of their discovery, the researchers reintroduced AHR-activating molecules into blood samples from lupus patients. This intervention appeared to reprogram the disease-causing cells, suggesting a shift towards cells that may promote healing rather than exacerbate autoimmune responses.
Choi noted that if the effects turned out to be long-lasting they could represent a potential cure. Moving forward, researchers aim to translate their findings into novel treatments for lupus, focusing on safe and effective delivery methods for AHR activators and other targeted therapies.
This study not only sheds light on the underlying mechanisms of lupus but also offers a promising pathway towards more effective and less harmful treatments, marking a significant advance in autoimmune disease research.