Researchers identify key protein involved in triggering inflammation

Indigophoton · Jun 27, 2018

Researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago have identified a protein that is crucial for activating inflammation—both the good kind of inflammation that leads to healing wounds and fighting infection, as well as excessive inflammation where the immune system can damage tissues and organs. The protein—an ion channel that spans the membrane of immune cells—presents a new target for the development of drugs that can restrain overblown inflammatory responses. The researchers report their findings in the journal Immunity.

Scientists have long known that inflammation involves the activation of a structure within immune cells called the inflammasome, and that it is activated by an influx of potassium ions across the cell membrane through a protein channel. However, the identity of this channel was not known until now.

Researchers led by Asrar Malik, Schweppe Family Distinguished Professor and head of pharmacology in the UIC College of Medicine, have now identified the channel, called TWIK2, and have studied its function in macrophages, a type of immune cell involved in fending off infections as well as clearing debris during inflammation.

"Now that we have identified this crucial channel, it opens up the possibility of developing targeted new anti-inflammatory drugs to modify its function and help and reduce inflammation," said Malik.
Click to expand...

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-06-key-protein-involved-triggering-inflammation.amp

duncan · Jun 27, 2018

Perhaps a pleasant, inadvertent byproduct might be a funneling of research dollars into channelopathies - today horrifically underfunded, not unlike ME/CFS?

Log in or Sign up

Researchers identify key protein involved in triggering inflammation

Indigophoton Senior Member (Voting Rights)

duncan Senior Member (Voting Rights)

Share This Page

Log in or Sign up

Researchers identify key protein involved in triggering inflammation

Indigophoton Senior Member (Voting Rights)

duncan Senior Member (Voting Rights)

Share This Page

Useful Searches