Organ-transplant drug might fight lupus

DALLAS, Aug. 16 (UPI) -- U.S. medical researchers have found a compound related to a drug used in humans to prevent organ-transplant rejection might be useful in fighting lupus.

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center scientists found the compound attacks a key biochemical process in the faulty immune cells of lupus-prone mice.

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the body’s cells and tissues.

"We found that an analog of rapamycin is very effective in improving all aspects of the disease in lupus-prone mice," said Dr. Chandra Mohan, professor of internal medicine and senior author of the study. "Our next step will be to see if the same biochemical pathways exist in humans. If they do, this research and treatment could prove very significant."

The researchers discovered the analog shuts down specific biochemical processes in the B-cells of the mice, halting production of antibodies and the development of lupus in all the strains of lupus-prone mice. It also improved symptoms, despite each animal having a different genetic makeup that led to the disease.

The study is detailed in the August issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation.