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The has orchestrated an annual campaign since 2012 to raise awareness of diseases that are autoimmune in nature and that cause joint inflammation and pain. That includes such diseases as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and Sjögren’s syndrome, to name a few. is May 20 this year. The theme, with a nod to the “auto” prefix, is “Race to Fuel Awareness.” The ASBMB will observe WAAAD by sharing research and stories about the mechanisms of the diseases.

Investigating the role of AhR signaling in health and disease

In this short literature review, researchers cover what is known about how the aryl hydrocarbon receptor influences the immune response. The AhR integrates signals from food and the gut environment to modulate inflammation, making it a possible target for drugs to treat multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases.

How MHC molecules grab citrullinated peptides to foster rheumatoid arthritis

Upwards of 70 percent of rheumatoid arthritis patients test positive for antibodies that target citrullinated peptides in joint synovial fluid. Production of these antibodies depends on binding between citrullinated peptides and a particular surface receptor of antigen-presenting cells. Ting et al examined binding affinity between diverse citrullinated peptides and variants of the receptor, yielding insights into the molecular mechanisms that could be targeted to reduce the autoinflammatory response.

Making a better immunoglobulin

For patients with autoimmune disorders that don’t respond to traditional treatments, intravenous IG is a therapy of last resort. IVIG, however, is expensive, as the IG is derived from thousands of donors.  A synthetic IG is needed.

The heartbreak of psoriasis

Psoriasis isn’t just an unsightly skin problem. One-third of patients with the inflammatory disease develop arthritis. On top of that, it alters HDL (“good cholesterol”) and increases the risk of heart disease.

Understanding how an enzyme can help or harm

Variation in the enzyme endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 1, or ERAP1, is associated with ankylosing spondylitis and other diseases. Some ERAP1 variants increase the risk of autoimmune disease, while others are protective. A study in the journal Molecular & Cellular Proteomics investigated how different ERAP1 variants affect antigen presentation.

Rituximab binding to target cells

The monoclonal antibody rituximab, sold as Rituxin or MabThera, is often used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Researchers studied how carbohydrate modifications to antibody receptors can affect rituximab binding to its target cells.  They reported their findings in the journal Molecular & Cellular Proteomics.