Spleen Cells May Prove Effective Target for Lupus Treatment: Researchers discover the organ is origin of the disease in 'transgenic' mice

Source: HealthDay News
Posted: September 14, 2006

Summary:

Research published in the online edition of the journal Immunity on mice specially bred to develop lupus, an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's tissues and organs, has uncovered an area of the spleen that may give rise to the disease. The area is called the marginal zone of the spleen and it appears that this is where B cells from the immune system go awry and turn into cells that attack the body's own tissues and organs, researchers say.

Commentary: Maybe this study wil provide researchers with new insights into potential treatments for lupus and other autoimmune diseases in humans.