Blocking ROCK2 to prevent autoimmunity

Immunology T follicular helper (Tfh) cells assist in the production of antibodies. When activated, peripheral blood T cells from patients with the autoimmune disorder lupus can develop into Tfh cells. Weiss et al. found that a pharmacological inhibitor of the kinase, RO CK2, decreased the number and function of human Tfh cells that were generated in lupus cases. Unlike a general immunosuppressant, the ROCK2 inhibitor was specific and ameliorated disease severity in a mouse model of lupus without interfering with other immune cells. Sci. Signal. 9 , ra73 (2016).