Lupus Etiologies

Bacterial Curli Amyloid: Researchers Examine the Role of Bacterial Infection in Lupus Pathology

New research has found that the amyloid protein curli triggers immune activation and autoantibody production in lupus-prone and wild-type mice. Stefania Gallucci, MD, says these results provide insight into the mechanisms of bacterial infection that may result in lupus…
the-rheumatologist.org

Unlocking an Ancient Clue to Lupus

Could long-silent, virus-like genomic elements trigger autoimmunity?
medpagetoday.com

Familial Chilblain Lupus Due to a Gain-Of-Function Mutation in STING

N König et al. Ann Rheum Dis 76 (2), 468-472
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

High-Salt Diet May Trigger Gene Silencing & a Lupus Phenotype – The Rheumatologist

New research has demonstrated that a high-salt diet may increase the differentiation of follicular helper T cells (Tfh). A high-salt diet also increased…
the-rheumatologist.org

Researchers Hone in on Defect in Autophagy that May Underlie Lupus

New research investigates the role of autophagy, specifically the cell digestion process called LC3-associated phagocytosis (LAP), in inflammation and the…
the-rheumatologist.org

Patients with Lupus: Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells Fail to Induce Regulatory B Cells

Graphical Abstract Highlights: "The signals required for Breg cell differentiation in humans are currently unknown. Mauri and colleagues show that plasmacytoid dendritic cells, via the provision of IFN-a, govern the differentiation of immature B cells into regulatory B cells that restrain inflammation."

A recent study found that plasmacytoid dentricitic cells (pDCs) control the differentiation of immature B cells into regulatory B (Breg) cells or plasmablast, depending on the concentration of IFNα. For patients with SLE, researchers found that immune regulatory feedback between pDCs and Breg cells…
the-rheumatologist.org