Breakthrough Hope For MS: Could There Be A Way To 'Switch Off' The Disease?

MS sufferers could soon be able to "switch off" their illness following a potential medical breakthrough from researchers at the University of Bristol - a result which could improve the lives of 2.5 million people worldwide.

The findings could affect a range of autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), type 1 diabetes, Graves' disease and systemic lupus erythematosus.

In their research, published today in Nature Communications, the team reveal how to stop cells from attacking healthy body tissue.

The team discovered how cells convert from being aggressive to protecting against disease, rather than the body's immune system destroying its own tissue by mistake.

It is hoped the insight will lead to the widespread use of antigen-specific immunotherapy as treatment for many autoimmune disorders.

Professor David Wraith, of the university's School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, led the "exciting" research - which was funded by the Wellcome Trust.

"Insight into the molecular basis of antigen-specific immunotherapy opens up exciting new opportunities to enhance the selectivity of the approach while providing valuable markers with which to measure effective treatment," Professor Wraith said.

"These findings have important implications for the many patients suffering from autoimmune conditions that are currently difficult to treat."

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Breakthrough Hope For MS: Could There Be A Way To 'Switch Off' The Disease?