Enzymes affect the severity of autoimmune diseases

Researchers have discovered that the body's ability to produce reactive oxygen radicals at an early stage in the immune defence against infections has a major impact on how these illnesses develop. "We've shown that a strong but controlled production of oxygen radicals by the immune system is important for subduing illnesses such as MS and GBS," says Natalia Mossberg, doctoral student at the Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at the Sahlgrenska Academy.

The enzyme called NADPH oxidase,converts oxygen into reactive oxygen radicals.

The discovery, from a thesis from the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden, could also lead to a new treatment of Multiple Sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases with medicines that help produce of NADPH oxidase. More info