The human intestinal microbiota is home to more than 1,000 bacterial species, containing approximately 3 million genes, many of which code for functions that have the potential to affect human physiology.1 Smaller numbers of organisms are also present in the skin, upper gastrointestinal tract, female reproductive tract and the oro- and nasopharynx. As tools have…
Recent research has helped further define genetic heritability for pediatric autoimmune diseases. In an interview, Dr. Hakon Hakanarson discusses how understanding common genetic factors can help develop risk prediction and treatments for such diseases as juvenile idiopathic arthritis, lupus and celiac disease…
In a large group genetic analysis, researchers identified an association between the class II HLA region, including HLA-DRB1*11, and systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA), implicating adaptive immune molecules in sJIA’s pathogenesis and reinforcing its unique genetic position among JIA subtypes…
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Exposure to probiotics in the first few weeks of life is associated with a reduced risk of islet autoimmunity, according to results from the TEDDY study. “Early supplementation of probiotics may be important but we need more research on this,” Dr. Ulla Uusitalo from University of South Florida in Tampa told Reuters…
Studying the relationships between microbes and their hosts, the role for Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG) as a vaccine for Type I diabetes, and emotional stress and bone metastases
Presenters at “Looking Ahead to Kinase Inhibition in Rheumatoid Arthritis,” a session here at the 2011 ACR/ARHP Annual Scientific Meeting, delved into some of the big questions that rheumatology faces with kinase inhibitor use.
Rheumatology needs further cost-effective and validated methods to track the connection between environmental exposure and autoimmune diseases, including research on phenotypes, genotypes, the synergy between multiple infectious and noninfectious exposures, the timing of exposure, and the mechanisms involved, according to presenters of “Impact of Environmental Health on Autoimmunity,” a session here at the 2011 ACR/ARHP Annual Scientific Meeting held in Chicago in November 2011.
A perspective on B cell–targeted therapies in autoimmune disease
Is a novel treatment breakthrough on the horizon?
ACR Research and Education Foundation launches campaign to find RA cure