- Connect with LRI:
- YouTube
- Change.org
Thomas Rothstein, MD, PhD
The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, NY
2007 B Cells
Sequence:
2
Header:
<p>Maybe the flares that certain people with lupus suffer from after sun exposure are due to a genetic irregularity in just a single base of DNA—one that activates a powerful immune system stimulant. An LRI researcher explored this bold hypothesis.</p>
Bevra Hahn, MD
University of California at Los Angeles, CA
2003/2004 Cardiovascular System
2003/2004 Biomarkers
Year:
2001
Researchers:
question:
Sensitivity to sunlight, or photosensitivity, is a significant problem for lupus patients because ultraviolet (sun) light can be extremely harmful. Sunlight can trigger flares of systemic lupus, flares that affect such vital internal organs as the heart, kidneys, brain and blood. It can also lead to flares of lupus skin eruptions.
In lupus, photosensitivity most frequently presents itself as a butterfly rash over the nose and central face.
Header:
<p class="research-question">How about spotting and stopping premature hardening and clogging of vessels early on—before a heart attack or stroke signals a problem?</p>
Year:
2007
Researchers:
question:
An Alternate BCR Signaling Pathway to Autoimmunity
The body’s B cells, or B lymphocytes, mature in the bone marrow. When stimulated by an antigen, they develop into cells that make antibodies. And over the past few years, evidence that they play a central role in the cause and development of lupus-by making antibodies to the body's own DNA-has been growing.
Dr. Rothstein aims to discover what triggers B lymphocytes to produce autoantibodies (self-directed antibodies) in lupus.
Header:
<p class="research-question">Could a therapy to prevent the rapid death and slow replacement of endothelial cells that line the heart’s blood vessels slash the risk for premature atherosclerosis in lupus?</p>
Year:
2003/2004
Researchers:
question:
“Traditional risk factors for atherosclerosis—including high blood pressure, increased cholesterol levels, diabetes mellitus, older age and postmenopausal status—have proved ineffective for predicting atherosclerosis in lupus patients,” explained Dr. Hahn.
Anne M. Stevens, MD, PhD
University of Washington, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Seattle, WA
2007 Signaling
