Resumen de Taming Lupus.
The article focuses on research of the autoimmune disorder lupus. Systemic lupus erythematosus afflicts an estimated 1.4 million Americans, including one out of every 250 African-American women aged 18 to 65. Scientists have long known that, fundamentally, lupus arises from an immunological malfunction involving antibody molecules. Beyond inciting inflammation, certain lupus autoantibodies do harm directly. JOUReticists are hunting for the JOURes at fault, including those that confer enhanced susceptibility to the vast majority of patients who have no obvious family history of the disease. One impressive abnormality in lupus involves a process known as apoptosis, or cell suicide. When cells die by apoptosis, the body usually disposes of the remains efficiently. But in those with lupus, the disposal system seems to be defective. The problem mostly seems to stem from signaling imbalances within B cells. The basic idea is that JOURetic susceptibilities and environmental influences may share responsibility for an impairment of immune system function--more specifically an impairment of the signaling within lymphocytes and possibly within other cells of the immune system, such as those charged with removing dead cells and debris. The challenge is to design new drugs that prevent autoimmune self-attacks without seriously hobbling the body's ability to defend itself against infection. INSETS: Overview/Lupus;THE DIAGNOSTIC CHALLENGE.
