New mechanism found that regulates the immune response

A mechanism that regulates the immune response leaving a person susceptible to autoimmune diseases has been found by a team from the University of Finland.

Tiny areas of genes have been found to regulate the white blood cells that are central to the response of the immune system. They are associated with predisposition to autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease.

Published in Immunity, it is hoped that the discovery could lead to new treatments and therapies.