Healthy Living

Developments in New Lupus Immunotherapy

Research Findings

Researchers figured out how to obtain DCs from both SLE patients and healthy donors and then, to generate more of these cells in the lab. From there, the newly formed DCs were treated with substances that modify their immune functions. These substances are called RGZ and DEXA. These drugs lead to an increase in tolerogenic DCs (toIDCs) which are a subset of DCs that suppress the body’s immune response. Then, ultraviolet irradiation was applied to cause cell death.The apoptotic cells, acting as self-antigens, were then administered to the toIDCs to see if they could re-establish resistance to distinct auto-antigens. Subsequently, the toIDCs were tested to see if they could prevent the activation of T-cells.

As a result, the activation of the T-cells was hindered, and the usual autoimmune response that would’ve normally take place was stopped. This was actually observed while utilizing the T-cells of a patient with SLE.