From the Popular Press: What Your Patients are Reading:

British researchers believe that their understanding of the molecule Foxp3 and how it controls autoimmune responses may offer new insights on how to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Foxp3 helps to regulate the body’s immune system, but people without this molecule or with mutated forms have dysfunctional immune system regulation, and may suffer from debilitating autoimmune disorders. RA, a form of arthritis caused by the body’s immune system attacking itself, may be able to be treated by introducing modified versions of the Foxp3 molecule into a patient’s immune system. In animal models, the introduction of the modified molecule either inhibited or reversed the disease process. Researchers will next look into applications of Foxp3 to human models of arthritis.

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