Natural antibody linked to lupus development

A new report has suggested that natural antibodies that act against a molecule secreted by some glands in humans could be linked to the development of lupus.

Researchers from Karolinska University Hospital in Sweden published their findings in the journal Rheumatology.

They noted that previous research had indicated that the antibodies that acted against the molecules known as phosphorylcholines (PC) seemed to work to protect the cardiovascular health of the patient.

Their new study involved 26 women with lupus and a history of cardiovascular disease (CVD), 26 age-matched women with lupus but no history of CVD and 26 healthy controls.

During the trial, the researchers assessed the prevalence of anti-PC antibodies in the women. It was found that people with lupus had lower levels of the anti-PC antibodies than the controls.

In the lupus patients, the lowest levels of anti-PC antibodies were linked to organ damage and disease activity.

As a result, Dr Jun Su and the rest of the team concluded: "Low levels of anti-PC could be of importance in lupus. Low levels of anti-PC could contribute to development of CVD in lupus."

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