autoimmune conditions

Posted on autoimmune conditions, Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid arthritis

Scientists have discovered new T cells and genes related to immune conditions such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Rare T cells found to be related to immune-mediated diseases

A newly developed method called ReapTEC has allowed thousands of active bidirectional enhancers to be discovered. Further analysis of GWAS data revealed that various immune-mediated diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis, are related to genetic variations within these enhancers. CREDIT RIKEN

Researchers, led by Yasuhiro Murakawa at the RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences (IMS) and Kyoto University in Japan, along with IFOM ETS in Italy, have identified rare types of helper T cells associated with immune disorders such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and asthma. Their findings, published on July 4 in Science, were made possible by a newly developed technology called ReapTEC, which identified genetic enhancers in rare T cell subtypes linked to specific immune disorders. The researchers have made the new T cell atlas publicly available, which is expected to aid in developing new drug therapies for immune-mediated diseases.

Helper T cells are white blood cells that play a significant role in the immune system. They identify pathogens and control the immune response. Many immune-related diseases are the result of abnormal T-cell functionality. For example, in autoimmune conditions such as multiple sclerosis, they mistakenly attack the body’s own tissues as if they were foreign invaders. In the case of allergies, T cells excessively react to harmless substances like pollen. While several common T cells are known, recent research indicates the existence of rare and specialized types of T cells that may be associated with immune-related diseases.

In all cells, including T cells, there are DNA regions called “enhancers.” These regions do not code for proteins; instead, they code for small pieces of RNA and enhance the expression of other genes. Variations in T cell enhancer DNA lead to differences in gene expression, which can affect T cell function. Some enhancers are bidirectional, meaning that both strands of DNA are used as templates for enhancer RNA. Researchers from various laboratories at RIKEN IMS, along with colleagues from other institutes, collaborated to develop the new ReapTEC technology and investigate the links between bidirectional T cell enhancers and immune diseases.

They analyzed about a million human T cells and found several groups of rare T cell types, which accounted for less than 5% of the total. By applying ReapTEC to these cells, they identified almost 63,000 active bidirectional enhancers. To determine if any of these enhancers are related to immune diseases, they turned to genome-wide association studies (GWAS), which have reported numerous genetic variants, called single-nucleotide polymorphisms, that are related to various immune diseases.

After combining the GWAS data with the results of their ReapTEC analysis, the researchers discovered that genetic variants for immune-mediated diseases were frequently situated within the bidirectional enhancer DNA of the rare T cells they had identified. In contrast, genetic variants for neurological diseases did not exhibit a similar pattern. This indicates that the bidirectional enhancers in these rare T cells are specifically associated with immune-mediated diseases.

In their research, the scientists delved deeper into the data and found that specific enhancers in rare T cells are linked to certain immune diseases. Out of the 63,000 bidirectional enhancers, they pinpointed 606 that contained single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with 18 immune-related illnesses. Additionally, they identified some of the genes targeted by these disease-linked enhancers. For instance, when they stimulated an enhancer containing a genetic variant linked to inflammatory bowel disease, the resulting enhancer RNA led to an increase in the IL7R gene.

“In the short term, we have developed a new genomics method that can be used by researchers around the world,” says Murakawa. “Using this method, we discovered new types of helper T cells, as well as genes related to immune disorders. We hope that this knowledge will lead to a better understanding of the genetic mechanisms underlying human immune-mediated diseases.”

Posted on autoimmune conditions

Top 5 Foods to EAT for Inflammation and Autoimmune Diseases

Incorporating anti-inflammatory foods into your diet can be crucial for managing autoimmune diseases. These foods can help reduce inflammation, support the immune system, and contribute to overall well-being. Here are some foods known for their anti-inflammatory properties that may be helpful in managing autoimmune diseases.

Posted on autoimmune conditions, Rheumatoid arthritis

New insights into T and B cells offer hope for Rheumatoid Arthritis sufferers

According to a new study from the University of Surrey, scientists should focus on the interactions between T and B cells to find better treatments for autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Systems Biology researchers have found that our metabolism could be outsized in the delicate balancing act between T and B cells, leading to autoimmune diseases. The study also found evidence that changes in metabolism caused by ageing add further risks.  

Dr Matteo Barberis, lead author of the study from the School of Biosciences, said: 

“We have proposed a new way to treat autoimmune diseases by focusing on the metabolism of immune cells, like T and B cells. We can find more effective treatments by understanding how these cells interact to change their behaviour due to shifts in our body’s energy processing. 

“This approach brings together different areas, such as inflammation and immunometabolism, how our immune system uses energy and the effects of ageing.” 

T and B cells are specialised white blood cells that play crucial roles in our immune system. T cells help identify and attack infected cells, while B cells create antibodies to neutralise harmful invaders like viruses and bacteria. Through mutual regulation, T and B cells can meet the metabolic demand required in each stage of their development. 

The team conducted a thorough critical analysis of the current literature in different areas, such as inflammation and immunometabolism, to comprehensively understand the processes involved, where metabolic, signalling and epigenetic routes integrate.  

“This approach envisions therapeutic treatments of autoimmune disorders through a strategy of repurposing drugs capable of simultaneously targeting the immune system and the metabolism. It’s a promising direction that could lead to better ways to manage conditions such as lupus or multiple sclerosis.” 

Posted on autoimmune conditions, Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s Syndrome

Why are women at greater risk of autoimmune diseases?

Somewhere between 24 and 50 million Americans have an autoimmune disease, a condition in which the immune system attacks our own tissues. As many as 4 out of 5 of those people are women. Rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and scleroderma are examples of autoimmune disorders marked by lopsided female-to-male ratios. The ratio for lupus is 9 to 1; for Sjogren’s syndrome, it’s 19 to 1. Stanford Medicine scientists and their colleagues have traced this disparity to the most fundamental feature differentiating biological female mammals from males, possibly fostering a better way to predict autoimmune disorders before they develop.