News Feature Channel: Autoimmune Diseases

Two Key Genes Identified Linking Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoporosis

American Institute of Physics (AIP) — Tue, 05 Nov 2024 11:00:00 EST

In APL Bioengineering, researchers employed analysis tools and machine learning algorithms to identify two genes linked to rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis that could serve as diagnostic tools and potential targets for treatments. Drawing from a large database of genetic information, they gathered dozens of sequenced genomes from people with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis to look for any similarities, using recently developed computational methods to narrow down their search. They identified genes ATXN2L and MMP14 as significantly associated with the progression of both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis.

National Multiple Sclerosis Society Awards $1M to Case Western Reserve University Researchers to Study New Approach to Treat the Disease

Case Western Reserve University — Mon, 04 Nov 2024 08:00:00 EST

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating disease of the brain and spinal cord that impacts millions worldwide. In MS, the immune system mistakenly attacks the myelin sheath--a protective layer surrounding nerve cells in the nervous system. The loss of myelin, combined with ongoing inflammation, causes dysfunction and death of nerve cells, making the disability worse, such as difficulties with movement, coordination, and sensation. Treatments now focus on reducing attacks on myelin, but don't address nerve-cell damage and death. But with $1 million from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS), a research team co-led by Paul Tesar, the Dr. Donald and Ruth Weber Goodman Professor of Innovative Therapeutics and director of the Institute for Glial Sciences, and Ben Clayton, assistant professor and founding member of the Institute for Glial Sciences, both in the Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, will take a different

Healthy Brains Suppress Inappropriate Immune Responses

Washington University in St. Louis — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 15:00:46 EST

Researchers at WashU Medicine have found a process by which the brain guards against attack by the immune system. In mice with multiple sclerosis, such "guardian" proteins that train the immune system were drastically depleted, and replenishing them improved symptoms, according to a study in Nature.

Youth with Chronic Childhood Arthritis Empowered to Overcome Barriers

University of South Australia — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 21:15:37 EST

A new intervention to help young people with chronic childhood arthritis overcome barriers to physical activity and mental wellbeing will be developed by University of South Australia researchers.

Preclinical Studies Test Novel Gene Therapy for Treating IgA Nephropathy

American Society of Nephrology (ASN) — Sat, 26 Oct 2024 19:30:00 EST

IgA nephropathy is an autoimmune kidney disease, and complement, a component of the innate immune system, plays a role in the condition's pathogenesis. Investigators have developed and tested a novel gene therapy that enters kidney cells and enables them to block complement activation. The research will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2024 October 23- 27.

How the Novel Antibody Felzartamab Impacts IgA Nephropathy

American Society of Nephrology (ASN) — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 19:30:00 EST

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is an autoimmune kidney disease driven by immune cells that express a protein called CD38 on their surface. A recent Phase 2 trial revealed that felzartamab, an investigational anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody, helps to reduce proteinuria and maintain patients' kidney function. Investigators evaluated the molecular mechanisms underlying felzartamab's potential efficacy in IgAN. The findings will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2024 October 23- 27.

New AI Tool Predicts Protein-Protein Interaction Mutations in Hundreds of Diseases

Cleveland Clinic — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 05:00:00 EST

Scientists from Cleveland Clinic and Cornell University have designed a publicly-available software and web database to break down barriers to identifying key protein-protein interactions to treat with medication.

Parinaz Fathi, Ph.D., is fulfilling a life-long career goal at NIBIB--conducting independent research

National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 10:40:12 EST

This feature profiles Parinaz Fathi, Ph.D., an early career researcher at NIBIB, leading an intramural research unit that develops miniature organ models to study immune-related conditions and evaluates the role of biological nanoparticles in autoimmune diseases and cancer. She also creates award-winning scientific art.

Novel Drug Candidate Based on HSS Research Secures $70M Series A Financing and Will Begin Its First Clinical Trial in Europe

Hospital for Special Surgery — Tue, 15 Oct 2024 10:00:59 EST

SciRhom GmbH, a biotech startup co-founded by Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), recently secured a 63 million euro (US$70 million) Series A financing round to support the clinical development of its novel drug candidate, SR-878. The round was co-led by Andera Partners, Kurma Partners, Hadean Ventures, MIG Capital, and Wellington Partners, with participation from new investor Bayern Kapital and existing investors. This news follows the company's recently received approval from Austrian regulatory authorities (BASG/AGES) required to commence its first-in-human Phase I clinical trial in Europe this fall.

Three-Time Olympic Medalist Paige Madden Partners with Autoimmune Association to Raise Awareness for Autoimmune Disease

Autoimmune Association — Tue, 01 Oct 2024 09:00:59 EST

The Autoimmune Association is proud to announce a new partnership with U.S. Olympic swimmer Paige Madden, a decorated athlete and champion in the pool, to amplify awareness of autoimmune diseases.

Organoids Derived From Gut Stem Cells Reveal Two Distinct Molecular Subtypes of Crohn's Disease

University of California San Diego — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 11:00:00 EST

UC San Diego researchers discover two distinct molecular subtypes of Crohn's disease using patient-derived organoids, opening the door to personalized treatment for the chronic inflammatory bowel disease.

NEUROMARK(r) Treatment for Chronic Rhinitis Yields Significant Clinical Improvements

Neurent Medical — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 08:05:04 EST

PARAGON Study Shows NEUROMARK(r) Treatment Benefits Allergic and Nonallergic Rhinitis Patients

Patients With Moderate-to-Severe Ulcerative Colitis May Find Significant Relief as New Treatment Option Shows Good Results in Clinical Trial

Mount Sinai Health System — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 17:05:07 EST

A phase 2 trial of a monoclonal antibody known as tulisokibart for moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis (UC) showed promising results for those who have not responded to conventional inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treatment. The results were reported Thursday, September 26, in The New England Journal of Medicine.

Testing a Revolutionary Treatment Against Progressive Multiple Sclerosis

Rutgers University-New Brunswick — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 12:05:04 EST

Rutgers Health researchers will enroll primary or secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (p-MS) patients to see if an engineered immune cell therapy can halt the progression of the autoimmune disease.

MS Patients with Chronic Brain Lesions Decline Faster

American Neurological Association (ANA) — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 08:00:05 EST

Starting patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) on aggressive treatment earlier may help prevent the development of paramagnetic rim lesions (PRL), areas of chronic brain inflammation that are linked to faster decline due to the disease, suggests new research presented at the 149th Annual Meeting of the American Neurological Association (ANA). People with MS who have PRLs tend to have greater brain atrophy and disability. Treatment for MS includes low-, moderate- or high-efficacy disease-modifying therapies (DMTs), such as monoclonal antibodies, immunomodulators and immunosuppressants. While high-efficacy DMTs have more side effects, previous research suggests they may help prevent PRLs from forming (unlike low- or moderate-efficacy DMTs), potentially outweighing the downsides. No currently available DMT has been shown to reduce existing PRLs.

LJI Selected as Member of ARPA-H Investor Catalyst Hub Spoke Network

La Jolla Institute for Immunology — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 12:05:47 EST

La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) has been selected as a spoke for the Investor Catalyst Hub, a regional hub of ARPANET-H, a nationwide health innovation network launched by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H).

Antibody Targeting CD38 Enzyme Shows Positive Impact in Treating Systemic Sclerosis

Michigan Medicine - University of Michigan — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 10:05:34 EST

Scleroderma is a chronic autoimmune disease of women.Over time, people living with scleroderma develop progressive and irreversible scarring.Scarring, called fibrosis, effects the lungs, heart and kidneys, leading to poor quality of life, disability and a reduced life expectancy.

Computer model boosts detection of cell-to-cell communication

UT Southwestern Medical Center — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 10:05:43 EST

A computer model developed by UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers significantly enhances the ability of scientists to detect communication between cells, according to a new study published in Nature Methods.

Yale Study Reveals Molecular Mechanism Behind Multiple Sclerosis

Yale School of Medicine — Fri, 30 Aug 2024 09:05:34 EST

EVOQ Therapeutics Secures $2 Million in Funding for Advanced Autoimmune NanoDisc Therapies

EVOQ Therapeutics, Inc. — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 06:05:52 EST

EVOQ Therapeutics, Inc. (EVOQ) a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the treatment of autoimmune diseases, announced today the receipt of a $2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to advance novel therapies for autoimmune diseases.