Immune System Involvement in Dermatomyositis Revealed
A mouse model has helped scientists uncover the biological mechanisms behind the autoimmune condition dermatomyositis.
Complete the form below to unlock access to ALL audio articles.
Some diseases involve autoimmune reactions, when the body begins to attack its own cells and proteins. The biological mechanisms underlying these diseases are often unknown, making treatment challenging. Now, a group at TMDU has created a murine model for a disease known as “anti-MDA5 antibody-positive dermatomyositis”. Use of this model has allowed them to identify components of the immune system that are vital in disease development, with implications for future treatments.
Dermatomyositis is a member of a disease group known as idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, which cause typical rashes and muscle weakness, leading to disability and premature death. As part of the normal immune response, the body produces proteins known as antibodies, specific to individual “antigens”, or foreign substances. However, autoimmune reactions involve the abnormal production of antibodies to human proteins, called “autoantibodies”. Anti-MDA5 antibody-positive dermatomyositis involves the production of autoantibodies against the protein MDA5, causing rashes and lung inflammation and fibrosis, called interstitial lung disease (ILD). This often progresses very rapidly with a high mortality rate, and current anti-inflammatory treatments are ineffective.
“To develop a model of this disease in mice, we first triggered the production of anti-MDA5 autoantibodies,” explains lead author of the study Dr. Yuki Ichimura. “This resulted in the development of some lung inflammation but not full ILD.” Because MDA5 is involved in the body’s response to certain viruses, the team then mimicked a viral infection in the lungs. The mice producing anti-MDA5 antibodies developed significant lung inflammation and fibrosis, emulating the pathogenesis seen in human patients, successfully modeling the disease.
Want more breaking news?
Subscribe to Technology Networks’ daily newsletter, delivering breaking science news straight to your inbox every day.
Subscribe for FREEThe research team went on to identify elevated levels of a signaling molecule called interleukin-6 in the murine model. “Experimental reduction of interleukin-6 levels ameliorated the development of ILD,” explains senior author Dr. Naoko Okiyama, “indicating that medical intervention targeting interleukin-6 could be a potential treatment option for ILD.”
The murine model developed in this study provides a key tool for investigating the mechanisms underlying anti-MDA5 antibody-positive dermatomyositis, the value of which is proved by the identification of key factors in the immune system involved in this highly progressive disease. Future work enabled by this study could aid in the development of more specific and effective therapies, improving treatment and quality of life.
Reference: Ichimura Y, Konishi R, Shobo M, et al. Autoimmunity against melanoma differentiation–associated gene 5 induces interstitial lung disease mimicking dermatomyositis in mice. PNAS. 2024;121(16):e2313070121. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2313070121
This article has been republished from the following materials. Note: material may have been edited for length and content. For further information, please contact the cited source.
