Atherosclerosis identified as autoimmune disease in new study

An international research consortium has published findings in ‘Nature Cardiovascular Research’ suggesting that atherosclerosis meets the defining criteria of an autoimmune disease. The study, led by Professor Andreas Habenicht of LMU University Hospital and Professor Changjun Yin of Sun Yat-sen University, identifies high-affinity autoreactive antibodies that contribute to the progression of the condition.

Researchers observed that these autoantibodies, specifically one directed against histone 2B, accelerate the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. In experimental models using mice, the adoptive transfer of these antibodies accelerated the disease. These findings were further supported by clinical data from a study of 495 patients in Guangzhou, which showed an association between specific autoantibody levels and aortic calcification.

This shift in understanding from a purely lipid-based accumulation to an autoimmune process could have transformative implications for medical science. Experts suggest this discovery may lead to the development of new diagnostic tools and immunotherapies designed to prevent myocardial infarctions and strokes before they occur.