Researchers discover how vascular disease activates autoimmune disorders
Friday, January 10, 2014 - 12:30
in Health & Medicine
The hardening of the arteries, called atherosclerosis, that can lead to heart attack. It has also been linked to autoimmune disorders, but to date it has not been clear why these diseases are related. A new study reveals that a molecule that causes atherosclerosis also activates T cells, causing clinical symptoms of autoimmune disease to worsen in mice. The findings shed light on the link between autoimmunity and atherosclerosis, opening new avenues for the treatment of autoimmune disorders.