Groundbreaking Study: ALS May Be Autoimmune, Offers Hope for New Treatments
A groundbreaking study by researchers at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology and Columbia University has shed new light on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), suggesting it may be an autoimmune disease. The research, supported by several organisations, could pave the way for new treatments for the devastating condition that affects around 5,000 Americans each year.
ALS, a progressive motor neuron disease, is characterised by neuroinflammation. The study found that ALS is associated with the recognition of the C9orf72 antigen by CD4 T cells, with specific epitopes being targeted. Interestingly, patients with more anti-inflammatory T cells survived significantly longer, indicating a protective news response.
The study also revealed that CD4 T cells in ALS patients preferentially release IL-5 and IL-10, with higher IL-10 responses correlating with longer survival times. This suggests that modulating T cell balance could slow disease progression and inspire new news. The researchers propose that targeting antigen-specific T cell responses could enable precision therapeutics in ALS.
The study, published recently, underscores the potential of targeting the immune system in ALS treatment. With around half of ALS patients dying within 14 to 18 months of diagnosis, these findings offer hope for improved survival and quality of life. Further research is needed to validate these findings and develop targeted therapies.
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