Korean researchers have discovered a specific protein that promotes lupus and nephritis, opening the possibility of developing a treatment.

Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) announced Tuesday that its research team, led by Professor Kwon Hyug-moo of the Department of Biological Sciences, together with Professor Yang Jae-seok of the Division of Nephrology at Severance Hospital, has released a study showing that the protein “TonEBP” promotes the development of lupus and nephritis.

Systemic lupus erythematosus is an incurable autoimmune disease with no apparent cause or prognosis.

The researchers found that the kidneys of patients with lupus nephritis expressed higher levels of TonEBP than the control group. The same trend was seen in macrophages and T-cells. According to the researchers, this increase was highly correlated to inflammatory cytokines involved in bacterial and viral infections.

The researchers also found that modulating TonRBP could inhibit lupus development and kidney damage in animal models. Reducing TonEBP, specifically in myeloid cells alone, inhibited lupus development and kidney damage.

“We found that TonEBP expression increased in macrophages by a pattern of damage-associated molecules expressed in dead or injured cells,” the researchers said. “By preventing phagocytosis, TonEBP can induce the expression of various inflammatory cytokines by controlling NF-kappaB and interferon regulatory factors involved in cytokine production.”

Professor Kwon said, “Our study confirms that TonEBP is a factor in the development of lupus. It provides clues to understanding the disease's pathogenesis and developing new treatments.”

The study, “Macrophage transcription factor TonEBP promotes systemic lupus erythematosus and kidney injury via damage-induced signaling pathways,” was published in the international journal Kidney International.