Researchers from the University of Birmingham have devised an approach to prevent the body's immune system from recognizing its own proteins, thus preventing an attack on healthy cells in autoimmune disorders.
In their study, the authors analyzed the mechanism of T-cells, which controlled the body's immune function and discovered that they could be manipulated to prevent its attack on its own cells.
For example, with multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disease involving the brain and spinal cord, the new technique discovered would hinder the body from attacking the Myelin Basic Protection (MBP) by fooling the immune system to perceive the protein as a part of itself.
According to Professor David Wraith, an author of the study from the Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, the team's findings have vital connotations for millions of patients suffering from autoimmune conditions that physicians currently find difficult to treat.
Autoimmune diseases are currently treated using immunosuppressive drugs. The problem with this is that they suppress the whole immune system, making the patient prone to cancers and other infections. Trials using antigen therapy in patients with MS and Grave’s disease are ongoing, but results from short-term preliminary clinical trials showed both MS and Graves’ disease patients started to have improved health while the trials lasted. ProfessorDavid Wraith.
The findings of the study supported by the Medical Research Council were published in the journal Cell Reports on June 9, 2020.
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