The research team has recently reached new findings regarding the immune system function in patients with lupus. This study shows that despite the immune system being active, lupus patients are still vulnerable to bacterial infections. This contradiction may be due to chronic inflammation that misguides immune responses towards incorrect reactions.
The Role of Neutrophils in Infection Control
To understand how the immune system malfunctions, the research team studied neutrophils, a type of white blood cell that are the first responders to infections. Neutrophils can produce networks of DNA and antimicrobial proteins known as neutrophil extracellular traps that capture bacteria and prevent their spread.
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However, neutrophils in the body can produce extracellular traps through various pathways, and not all of these pathways are equally effective. For example, healthy neutrophils in response to infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus can sense lactate, a chemical product produced by bacteria, which signals neutrophils to release a specific type of trap that is rich in antibacterial proteins.
Research Findings and Their Implications
The research team found that inflammatory molecules in lupus patients interfere with this antibacterial response. These signals lead to a reduction in the protein level that is essential for sensing bacterial lactate. At the same time, another inflammatory molecule directs neutrophils towards a different type of trap that is produced more quickly but is less effective at killing bacteria. As a result, the immune system is not weak; rather, the immune response is very active but incorrect.
Lupus is recognized as an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the body's own tissues. However, serious infections are also a major concern for lupus patients. The findings of this research clearly indicate that increased inflammation does not necessarily mean better protection against infections. The type and timing of the immune response are crucial.
Ultimately, this research addresses why standard lupus medications may not help improve infections and suggests that the type of traps produced and their conditions may raise more important questions for a better understanding of lupus disease.
