Journal of Autoimmunity selects Immunology paper for highlight

Congratulations to the Department of Immunology authors for the selection of their paper “BAFF-driven autoimmunity requires CD19 expression” for being made free access and highlighted on the homepage Journal of Autoimmunity for six months.Journal of Autoimmunity.

Breakthrough opens door to safer lupus drugs

Prof Fabienne Mackay's group. Lead research Dr Will Figgett
seated far left, Fabienne Mackay next to him. Pin Shie Quah,
another author on the paper, standing immediately behind
Fabienne.

A ground-breaking discovery by Monash University researchers could revolutionise treatments given to lupus sufferers, saving thousands of people each year from serious illness or death caused by secondary infections.

Lupus is a debilitating and widespread autoimmune disease that can attack any part of the body. It affects one in 1,000 Australians and 5 million people worldwide, and its victims are typically young women. Indigenous and Asian people suffer higher rates than other groups.

Lupus therapy: one size does not fit all

Lupus is not a simple disease. This disease can be categorised into different clinical subtypes according to the major organ involved, such as brain or kidney. Monash Immunology researchers have shown that two clinical subtypes of lupus defined by major organ involvement, one affecting the central nervous system (CNS) and the other affecting the kidneys, have associated, distinctive patterns of immune response.