“Inverse vaccine” shows potential to treat multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases

[helvella]

An interesting article (with kink to research) that just might have relevance to autoimmune thyroid disorders.

“Inverse vaccine” shows potential to treat multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases

A new type of vaccine developed by researchers at the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME) has shown in the lab setting that it can completely reverse autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes — all without shutting down the rest of the immune system.

A typical vaccine teaches the human immune system to recognize a virus or bacteria as an enemy that should be attacked. The new “inverse vaccine” does just the opposite: it removes the immune system’s memory of one molecule. While such immune memory erasure would be unwanted for infectious diseases, it can stop autoimmune reactions like those seen in multiple sclerosis, type I diabetes, or rheumatoid arthritis, in which the immune system attacks a person’s healthy tissues.

pme.uchicago.edu/news/inver...

[ Have to say, the image immediately makes me think of a white chocolate truffle. ]

[Alanna012]

Oh my goodness this sounds extremely promising.

I'm not sure though if it could undo the harm caused by advance stages of autoimmune disease where the affected tissues/organs have been extremely damaged. Like an atrophied thyroid for e.g. But how wonderful would it be to receive something like this early on once autoimmunity had been identified.