Published Tuesday, October 31, 2000, in the San Jose Mercury News,BY TERENCE CHEA Washington Post
This newly discovered protein could be a key player in HD. We may be meeting the enemy, a CAG induced B-lymphocyte stimulator. For the fight the monoclonal antibody rituximab is in place. --Jerry 11/01/00
Published Tuesday, October 31, 2000, in the San Jose Mercury News,BY TERENCE CHEA Washington Post
| This could help explain why their immune systems become overactive and attack their joints, in the case of rheumatoid arthritis patients, or their connective tissues, in the case of people with lupus. |
A protein discovered by a biotechnology company appears to play a major role in the inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, a discovery that could lead to new treatments for the two diseases afflicting millions of Americans.
The finding could also have important implications for Human Genome Sciences Inc. of Rockville, Md., which discovered the protein it calls BLyS, for B-lymphocyte stimulator. BLyS is a naturally occurring protein that stimulates the immune system to produce more antibodies, proteins that are critical in fighting off many germs.
The company has already started testing BLyS in humans.
New studies by Human Genome Sciences scientists and two of their collaborators have found that people with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus may have higher-than-normal levels of BLyS in their blood. This could help explain why their immune systems become overactive and attack their joints, in the case of rheumatoid arthritis patients, or their connective tissues, in the case of people with lupus.
Results from the two studies were to be presented Wednesday at the annual scientific meeting of the American College of Rheumatology in Philadelphia.
"They found that BLyS is not only associated with these diseases, but may also be the cause," said William Haseltine, chair and chief executive of Human Genome Sciences.