New study discovers biological functions behind lupus

A new US study has uncovered the biological process underlying the immune disease lupus.

The Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech has conducted experiments on mice focused on micro RNAs (miRNAs) in order to see how these cells may contribute to the disease via impairment of genetic regulation.

It was discovered that subjects with a variety of different lupus strains exhibited a common dysregulated pattern of miRNAs, which only manifested itself at the point the mice began to display symptoms of the disease.

By studying this area, it is thought that scientists can potentially work out how to manipulate these miRNA strands to "switch off" the condition in humans.

S Ansar Ahmed, professor of immunology and head of the department of biomedical sciences and pathobiology at the college, said: "This is long-range research but modern technology is narrowing the time it takes from mouse to human, speeding translation."

According to St Thomas' Lupus Trust, the condition is caused by excess immune system activity and most commonly affects young females, though the exact cause is unknown.