Genetic variant protects against rash of autoimmune diseases

illustration of DNA

A study of genetic data from 36,000 people with autoimmune diseases shows that dialing down a protein's activity — but not knocking it completely out — may provide a new way to calm overactive immune systems without raising the risk of getting infections.

Darryl Leja/NHGRI

Tweaking activity of one protein may help protect against 10 autoimmune diseases, a new study suggests.