Body’s molecular sensors may trigger autoimmune disease

ScienceDaily (Oct. 27, 2011) — Bruce Beutler, MD, a co-recipient of the 2011 Nobel Prize in Medicine, has coauthored an article describing a novel molecular mechanism that can cause the body to attack itself and trigger an autoimmune disease. The article is published online ahead of print in the Journal of Interferon & Cytokine Research, a peer-reviewed journal published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.

In the article, entitled "Intracellular Nucleic Acid Sensors and Autoimmunity," Argyrios Theofilopoulos, Dwight Kono, Bruce Beutler, and Roberto Baccala, The Scripps Research Institute (La Jolla, California), review the scientific evidence that supports the role of molecular sensors located inside cells in the initiation not only of protective and inflammatory immune responses, but also in an autoimmune response. These sensors recognize nucleic acid signatures that may be shared by foreign pathogens and the body's own DNA and RNA.

Dr. Beutler is one of three recipients awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine. He shares half of the prize with Jules Hoffman, PhD for their discoveries related to how the body's immune system fights disease through the activation of an innate immune response. The third recipient, Ralph Steinman, MD, who died before the Nobel Prizes were announced, previously published an article in AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses. Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. congratulates the three winners for the work and contributions to medicine for which they are being recognized.

The Journal of Interferon & Cytokine Research, led by Co-Editors-in-Chief Ganes C. Sen, PhD, Chairman, Department of Molecular Genetics, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, and Thomas A. Hamilton, PhD, Chairman, Department of Immunology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, is an authoritative peer-reviewed journal published monthly in print and online that covers all aspects of interferons and cytokines from basic science to clinical applications. Journal of Interferon & Cytokine Research is the Official Journal of the International Society for Interferon and Cytokine Research. Tables of content and a free sample issue may be viewed online at www.liebertpub.com/jir

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., Publishers.

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Journal References:

Argyrios N. Theofilopoulos, Dwight H. Kono, Bruce Beutler, Roberto Baccala. Intracellular Nucleic Acid Sensors and Autoimmunity. Journal of Interferon & Cytokine Research, 2011; 111027061355005 DOI: 10.1089/jir.2011.0092Ralf Ignatius, Yang Wei, Sylvie Beaulieu, Agegnehu Gettie, Ralph M. Steinman, Melissa Pope, Svetlana Mojsov. Short Communication: The Immunodeficiency Virus Coreceptor, Bonzo/STRL33/TYMSTR, Is Expressed by Macaque and Human Skin- and Blood-Derived Dendritic Cells. AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses, 2000; 16 (11): 1055 DOI: 10.1089/08892220050075318

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