New treatment target for autoimmune disease?

Researchers at Leicester University have discovered a new mechanism regulating B-cell activation that could open the way for new treatments for autoimmune diseases (Nature 2010;11:265–72).

They discovered that the voltage-gated proton channel HVCN1, which is associated with the B-cell antigen receptor, modulates the generation of reactive oxygen species that activate B-cells. They showed HVCN1-deficient cells have impaired mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis, and diminished antibody responses.
The authors say their findings are very significant, and may advance the treatment of B-cell lymphoma, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus erythematosus.