Novel drug molecule was found to reduce the inflammation that occurs in systemic lupus erythematosus including its complication lupus nephritis. The study was pioneered by Vineet Gupta, PhD a Professor and Vice Chair for Research and Innovation at Rush University Medical Center and director of Rush's Drug Discovery Center.
The mechanism of this drug molecule in ameliorating lupus is through binding to a small region of a protein called CD11b. According to Science Daily, these novel compounds possess a great potential to treat or even cure lupus and its complications. This study is the first time that small molecule has shown to activate CD11b and lessen inflammation in auto-immune disease, as stated by Gupta.
Using a rodent model, the researchers have identified a new drug-like molecule that reduces the burden of lupus. Mutations of certain genes are manifested in the increased risk of developing lupus. This gene is called ITGAM, which is expressed in protein cells called CD11b. ITGAM has an important role in immune system wherein it monitors toll-like receptors (TLR). TLRs can signal the cells to produce interferon I (IFN I) to fight an infection however, IFN I causes inflammation when deployed inappropriately.
Medical News Today has defined lupus as a chronic autoimmune disease that attacks normal and healthy tissue. Any part of the body can be affected by the disease including the skin, joints, brain, lungs, kidneys, blood vessels and other internal organs. Commonly, the disease manifests as inflammation, swelling and damages to any part of the body.
From the 171 lupus patients, the researchers discovered that patients affected by ITGAM mutations have higher plasma levels of IFN1.This discovery suggests that ITGAM mutation are linked to faulty immune system and considered a lupus biomarker. Inappropriate secretion of IFN1 is caused by ITGAM thus, worsening any inflammatory conditions.
The new drug molecule binds to CD11b and activates and enhances it to suppress TLR signaling. This new molecule can reduce the inflammation in the setting of an autoimmune disease. The research team has administered the drug using a modified rodent model. The findings have resulted to reduced inflammation in the manifestation of an auto-immune disease.
