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Lupus-like mouse disease cause identified
Stanford University scientists say their discovery involves macrophages -- part of the body's immune system that are responsible for disposing of dying cells.
The study showed if the disposal process is disrupted, the lupus-like disease develops.
Researcher Lata Mukundam, one of the authors of the study, said that finding could lead to both a better understanding of the cause of lupus in humans and potential drug treatments for the disorder.
"Just like in mice, … if you don't clear the dying cells, then that predisposes you to lupus," Mukundan said. "If you look at patients with lupus, they have an inability to clear those dead cells."
Assistant Professor Ajay Chawla, senior author of the study, added: "The clearing away of dying cells is important. If they're not cleared away, they can provide antigens against ourselves, leading to development of autoimmunity."
Lupus is an autoimmune disease in which the body attacks its own cells. The chronic inflammation causes symptoms that can resemble other types of arthritis and rheumatic diseases, affecting the skin, heart, lungs, kidneys, joints and nervous system, researchers said. The cause is unknown.
The study appears in the early online edition of the journal Nature Medicine.
Copyright 2009 by United Press International
This news arrived on: 10/21/2009
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