In Life Now Radio

Real 2 Real Radio with Host Tamara C. Gooch "It don't get no realer than this!" Tonights topic of discussion: Lupus and The Affects on African-Americans Our Guest: Christy Bell Lupus is a disease that is caused by something going wrong with the immune system — the part of the body that fights off invaders, such as viruses, bacteria, and other germs. Typically, B cells in our immune system produce proteins called antibodies that protect the body from these invaders. In people with lupus, some B cells stay in the body longer than they should. These are called autoreactive B cells. These autoreactive B cells are cells that react against your own body in lupus. The autoreactive B cells produce a type of protein called an autoantibody. Unlike normal antibodies, which react against foreign invaders, the autoantibodies attack your own body. In lupus, this can lead to inflamed body tissue.