Autoimmune Diseases New Findings on Ankylosing Spondylitis

When your own immune system becomes an enemy

In autoimmune diseases it comes to pathological deviations of the body's immune system. As a result, the immune system turns against the sufferer and attacks his own body. Many of these diseases are currently considered insufficiently understood. This includes the disease Bechterew's disease, in which sufferers suffer from lengthy arthritis and deformities of the spine. A German research team has now deciphered the mechanisms of the disease in more detail.

Researchers from Jacobs University in Bremen were able to gain more insight into the molecular mechanisms that lead to the autoimmune disease Ankylosing Spondylitis. Scientists identified a specific protein (HLA-B27) as a probable cause of the disease. The team wants to help with this basic research to develop a healing therapy for ankylosing spondylitis. The study results were recently published in the journal "PLOS one".

In the autoimmune disease ankylosing spondylitis, chronic arthritis occurs, which often manifests in the spine area (see picture, left side). In the later course, it can lead to ossification of the joints (see picture, right side). (Image: TeraVector / fotolia.com)

What is Morbus Bechterew?

Around 350,000 people in Germany suffer from chronic inflammatory joint disease, which is one of the autoimmune rheumatic diseases. The first symptoms that often occur between the ages of 15 and 40 include back pain and a stiff back in the morning. In later stages of the disease, it can lead to ossification of the spine. Currently, Bekhterev's disease is considered incurable. Appropriate therapies often allow the disease to be controlled to a degree that does not lead to an advanced stage. Here are the best ankylosing spondylitis therapies at a glance.

Many patients are plagued by sequelae

In patients with Bechterew's disease, there are often additional complications. So it can come as a result of the autoimmune disease to psoriasis, chronic inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis or even to a reactive arthritis. A particular white blood cell protein has been suspected for some time to be associated with the disease. A German research team was now able to find out more.

Researchers identify a protein as a trigger

In their study, the researchers from Jacobs University in Bremen were able to identify a protein that is likely to be the cause of the disease. The so-called HLA-B27 protein has the majority of ankylosing spondylitis patients in their cells. As reported by the research team, the protein folds into a three-dimensional structure after its preparation. This unfolding was particularly complicated, slow and unstable, and probably caused the disease.

Cumbersome and easily disintegrating protein

The study team took a closer look at the HLA-B27 protein and found that it was difficult to fold into its own special structure. If this convolution succeeds, it disintegrates immediately and loses its function. The exact reasons why the protein folds so slowly and complicated are still unclear.

Is a cure for ankylosing spondylitis in sight?

"Of course we can not say at this time, how exactly these basic findings later contribute to a possible treatment or cure of Bechterew's disease," says Professor. Sebastian Springer in a press release about the study results. But exploring fundamental mechanisms is essential to ultimately develop therapies and remedies. (Vb)