New Research Indicates Retinoblastoma Autoantibodies Protect Against Lupus Nephritis
Retinoblastoma (Rb) protein is a tumor suppressor protein that prevents excessive cell growth by inhibiting cell cycle progression. Scientists investigated levels of Rb antibodies in people with lupus to see if the gene protein is present and whether there were any relevant clinical associations. They studied a group of 358 people with lupus, Sjögren's syndrome and healthy individuals.
The researchers found that antibodies against Rb were present in people with lupus. Anti-Rb antibodies were strongly negatively associated with (or protected against) lupus nephritis (LN), and these same autoantibodies were also positively associated with stroke.
The study is the first to indicate a possible role of anti-Rb antibodies in systemic autoimmune diseases, such as lupus. Further studies are required to confirm and validate the clinical significance of anti‐Rb antibodies. Learn about what happens in autoimmune diseases like lupus.