A recent Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences study found that high-intensity aerobic exercise may reduce the release of cell-free DNA & tamp down inflammation over time.
Nature vs. Nurture & Their Roles in Autoimmunity
They looked exactly alike—tall, slightly scruffy gentlemen with denim overalls lightly stained with dirt and oil, with dusty trucker hats to match. The only difference was that one wore a red checkered shirt and the other wore a green one. Yet these similarities were deceptive. The one closest to me was the patient, the one…
DNA Methylation Profiles May Shed Light on the Evolution of Arthritis in Patients
A study found DNA methylation profiling may predict if a patient will progress from a diagnosis of undifferentiated arthritis to that of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The findings also suggest a pre-established epigenetic signature exists in patients diagnosed with undifferentiated arthritis that evolves into RA.
Is Chemical Exposure Linked to DNA Methylation Dysregulation in SLE Patients?
Could your lupus patients benefit from limiting exposure to chemicals at home and in the medical environment? It’s a strong possibility, according to the preliminary findings of a research team investigating DNA methylation disruption in patients with SLE…
The Birth and Growth of Biotechnology, and the Impact of Biologic Drugs on Rheumatology
Here’s a trivia question: Where were the big ideas for the field of biotechnology first discussed? Answer: At a since-demolished delicatessen in Waikiki Beach, Hawaii. Go figure. The year was 1972, and Stanley Cohen, MD, professor of medicine at Stanford University in Palo Alto, Calif., and Herbert Boyer, PhD, a former professor and biochemist at the…
The Impact of U.S. Supreme Court Decisions on Medical Affairs, Healthcare Policy
As America’s capital, Washington, D.C., maintains an outsized influence in our daily lives. Despite having a meager sliver of the New York City population, the daily political transactions that transpire in the District of Columbia impact our lives. The comings and goings in the corridors of Congress are likely to have a greater impact on us…
Oxidized Mitochondrial DNA May Contribute to Inflammation in SLE
New research examines how the generation of reactive oxygen species and neutrophil extracellular traps may break down the protective mechanisms of mitochondrial DNA, resulting in NETosis in people with autoimmune disease. They found oxidized mitochondrial DNA may contribute to inflammation in such diseases as systemic lupus erythematosus by upregulating type I interferon signatures…
Study Uncovers Tet2’s Role in Resolving Inflammation
When investigating the role of epigenetic modifiers in inflammatory response, researchers found that Tet2 acts at the chromatin level to help resolve inflammation in both dendritic cells and macrophage, repressing the transcription of IL-6…
DNA Methylation Modifies Genetic Risk for Rheumatoid Arthritis
A first-of-its-kind study has been published that integrates genotype and epigenotype data across the entire genome.
Sister Volunteers for Study to Find Answers
Strong family history make them good candidates for research