The new treatment is expected to improve autoimmunity

, a small cell wall fragment could make arthritis worse. In turn, specific antibodies to the fragment may relieve the disease.
, an antibody that can mediate fragments of certain types of bacterial cell walls can reduce the severity of autoimmune diseases in several mice, according to a new study. Further research is needed as to whether this method of mesotheticity is safe and effective for human patients with autoimmune diseases. The paper was published online in Nature Microbiology.
bacteria are powerful immune system active agents. Past studies have shown that the human microbiome -- bacteria that usually live on and inside the body -- is linked to the development of autoimmune diseases. Not only that, but the microbiome can release fragments of its cell walls into the blood circulation, and cell walls can exacerbate autoimmune diseases in animals.
Wang Yue of the Singapore Science and Technology Research Agency and colleagues found that a cell wall fragment called peptide polysaccharide sub-base activates the immune system and worsens autoimmune arthritis in mice. They then developed a specific antibody that neutralized the fragment, proving that injecting the antibody into mice could alleviate the severity and onset of several autoimmune diseases.
experts say the study points to a potential new approach to treating autoimmune diseases: eliminating immune signals from bacteria by injecting antibodies, rather than using immunosuppressive drugs. The latter may have adverse side effects. (Source: Tang Erdu, China Science Journal)
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