| Sherry 2006-08-31, 9:35 pm |
| Research Yields Clues to Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis
THURSDAY, Aug. 31 (HealthDay News) -- Scientists say they've spotted
potential new cellular targets for treating lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and
other autoimmune disorders.
In research with mice, Japanese scientists found that blood platelet
function plays an important role in an autoimmune kidney disease called
crescentic glomerulonenephritis.
Their study, published in the September issue of the journal Arthritis &
Rheumatism, also sheds light on the involvement of BLOC-1, which controls
lysosomes, tiny organelles that contain digestive enzymes needed to maintain
healthy cells function.
"The profound role of BLOC-1 appears to be platelet-specific among
immuno-inflammatory cell types. BLOC-1 is a possible therapeutic target for
suppression of platelet functions without compromising physiologic immune
responses," said researchers at Tohoku university Graduate School of
Medicine.
In another study, Finnish scientists identified a new type of adhesion
molecule (amine oxidase, copper containing 3 - AOC3) that's highly expressed
on vessels of inflamed human joint tissue.
AOC3, also called vascular adhesion protein 1, spurs inflammation by
interfering with the infiltration of leukocytes (white blood cells) into
rheumatoid joints, the study authors said.
More information
The U.S. National Women's Health Information Center has more about
autoimmune diseases.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/hsn/2006083...matoidarthritis
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