Lawrence Steinman talks with
ScienceWatch.com and answers a few questions about
this month's New Hot Paper in the field of
Multidisciplinary.
Article Title: Protective and therapeutic role for
alpha B-crystallin in autoimmune
demyelination
Authors: Ousman, SS, et al.
Journal: NATURE
Volume: 448
Issue: 7152
Page: 474-U7
Year: JUL 26 2007
* Stanford Univ, Dept Neurol & Neurol Sci, Sch Med,
Stanford, CA 94305 USA.
(addresses have been truncated)
Why do you think your paper is highly
cited?
It describes a shift in the paradigm for autoimmune diseases.
Would you summarize the significance of your paper
in layman's terms?
We show that a guardian protein is attacked and that this attenuates the
healing of an organ like the brain, when under autoimmune attack. The same
protein can be administered to attenuate the autoimmune attack and thus
attenuate the "attack against the guardian."
How did you become involved in this research, and
were there any problems along the way?
I have been interested in the study of protective molecules induced in an
organ under attack. Our laboratory is dedicated to understanding the
pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, particularly multiple sclerosis.
Where do you see your research leading in the
future?