Holly Pietrzak Weekend Anchor/Reporter WDBJ7

4:43 p.m. EST, February 17, 2011
BLACKSBURG, Va.—

Research at Virginia Tech could reveal the cause of lupus.
It's already uncovered a key to understanding it better.
Ongoing research at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine may change the way doctors view lupus.
    Dr. Ansar Ahmed is head of the Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology department and has been conducting research on lupus for past three years.
    Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease of connective tissue that causes the body's immune system to become hyperactive and attack normal, healthy tissue.
    Most of the research has involved the use of mice that are genetically disposed to lupus.

"Up until now we were focusing on structural genetic defects and other types of factors.  Now, what we're saying is there is something in there which is regulating those genes and that may be the one that is defective," said  Dr. Ahmed.
Dr. Ahmed said his research will likely continue for at least another five years.
He's optimistic the research will pinpoint the cause of lupus and hopefully lead to better treatment.

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