Gold and other metallic compounds have been used to fight autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, but although they were known to be effective, to date it has not been known why.
During research to find new drugs against these diseases, the result is unexpected. A protein of type MHC II plays the main role of the process. This protein attaches to bacteria and viruses and teaches protection system lymphocytes who they should attack. But sometimes protein does not do its job well and chooses some subject of the body itself. Then, lymphocytes attack badly and disease occurs. There are metal compounds that release the protein from the attached substance and disrupt its activity. In this way, lymphocyte aggression is also interrupted.
Although gold-containing drugs have long been used, many have side effects. Better understanding your role is important in creating drugs that prevent side effects.