Targets and Mechanisms

New autoimmunity targets

by Lev Osherovich, Senior Writer

Published online Oct. 29 2009; doi:10.1038/scibx.2009.1556

Newly published research suggests that antagonizing the soluble form of FASL or agonizing PPARδ could boost the killing and clearance of apoptotic cells, the source of many self-antigens, and thus help treat autoimmune conditions. The challenge is to subtly manipulate these targets without eliciting unwanted side effects.

Full text - New autoimmunity targets | PDF (158 KB) - New autoimmunity targets

Distillery: Therapeutics

Autoimmune disease; Crohn's disease; multiple sclerosis (MS); myasthenia gravis; rheumatoid arthritis (RA); selective IgA deficiency; systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); ulcerative colitis (UC)

Major histocompatibility complex class I C (HLA-C); major histocompatibility complex class II DQ α1 (HLA-DQA1); HLA-DQB1; major histocompatibility complex class II DR β1 (HLA-DRB1)

Published online Oct. 29 2009; doi:10.1038/scibx.2009.1558

A genotyping study identified HLA genetic loci that could help predict susceptibility to seven autoimmune disorders.

Summary - Major histocompatibility complex class I C (HLA-C); major histocompatibility complex class II DQ α1 (HLA-DQA1); HLA-DQB1; major histocompatibility complex class II DR β1 (HLA-DRB1) | PDF (118 KB) - Major histocompatibility complex class I C (HLA-C); major histocompatibility complex class II DQ α1 (HLA-DQA1); HLA-DQB1; major histocompatibility complex class II DR β1 (HLA-DRB1)

Distillery: Therapeutics

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

Peroxisome proliferation–activated receptor-δ (PPARD; PPARδ)

Published online Oct. 29 2009; doi:10.1038/scibx.2009.1559

Studies in cell culture and in mice suggest that PPARδ agonists could help treat SLE.

Summary - Peroxisome proliferation–activated receptor-δ (PPARD; PPARδ) | PDF (112 KB) - Peroxisome proliferation–activated receptor-δ (PPARD; PPARδ)

Distillery: Therapeutics

Unknown

Published online Oct. 22 2009; doi:10.1038/scibx.2009.1526

A study in cell culture suggests that generic sulfonylurea drugs could be useful for treating gout and other inflammatory diseases.

Summary - Unknown | PDF (113 KB) - Unknown

Distillery: Therapeutics

MicroRNA-326 (miRNA-326)

Published online Oct. 22 2009; doi:10.1038/scibx.2009.1527

A study in patients and in mice suggests that inhibiting miRNA-326 could help treat MS.

Summary - MicroRNA-326 (miRNA-326) | PDF (113 KB) - MicroRNA-326 (miRNA-326)

Cover Story

A gut feeling for CD39 FREE

by Tim Fulmer, Senior Writer

Published online Oct. 15 2009; doi:10.1038/scibx.2009.1491

American and German researchers have reported that enhancing CD39 activity in the gut could help treat inflammatory bowel disease. The researchers are now developing a soluble form of CD39 that they hope could become an infusible therapeutic to treat colitis and Crohn's disease.

Full text - A gut feeling for CD39 | PDF (686 KB) - A gut feeling for CD39

Targets and Mechanisms

New role for Actos in MS

by Lev Osherovich, Senior Writer

Published online Oct. 8 2009; doi:10.1038/scibx.2009.1460

German researchers suggest the PPAR agonist Actos pioglitazone could be useful for treating multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases. The challenge now is to maximize the immunomodulatory benefits and minimize the cardiovascular risks of PPAR agonists.

Full text - New role for Actos in MS | PDF (158 KB) - New role for Actos in MS

Distillery: Therapeutics

CD3; factor VIII

Published online Oct. 8 2009; doi:10.1038/scibx.2009.1463

A study in mice suggests that an anti-CD3 antibody could help prevent unwanted immune reactions that often occur following plasmid-mediated gene therapy.

Summary - CD3; factor VIII | PDF (106 KB) - CD3; factor VIII

Distillery: Therapeutics

Fas ligand (TNF superfamily, member 6) (FASL)

Published online Oct. 8 2009; doi:10.1038/scibx.2009.1464

A study in mice suggests that antagonizing a secreted form of FASL could help treat SLE and other autoimmune diseases.

Summary - Fas ligand (TNF superfamily, member 6) (FASL) | PDF (109 KB) - Fas ligand (TNF superfamily, member 6) (FASL)

Distillery: Therapeutics

Peroxisome proliferation–activated receptor-γ (PPARG; PPARγ); RAR-related orphan receptor C (RORC; RORγ)

Published online Oct. 1 2009; doi:10.1038/scibx.2009.1431

A study in mice and in human T cells suggests that agonizing PPARγ or antagonizing RORC could be useful for treating MS.

Summary - Peroxisome proliferation–activated receptor-γ (PPARG; PPARγ); RAR-related orphan receptor C (RORC; RORγ) | PDF (115 KB) - Peroxisome proliferation–activated receptor-γ (PPARG; PPARγ); RAR-related orphan receptor C (RORC; RORγ)