Research into protein could lead to new treatments

Researchers from the universities of Surrey and Oxford believe they have made a discovery which could lead to new treatments for a number of inflammatory diseases.

The team say they have discovered an unknown property of a protein which prevents the body controlling outbreaks of inflammation.

It is hoped it could be a major breakthrough in the treatment for conditions such as Crohn's, arthritis and cardiovascular disease.

The research was funded by the British Heart Foundation.

The immune system uses inflammation to protect the body during bouts of illness or injury.

The researches say they have discovered the protein, called inducible nitric oxide synthase, binds directly onto another protein called IRG1.

This, they say, stops IRG1 from producing itaconate, a metabolite that acts as a brake on the inflammatory response.

Dr Mark Crabtree, head of clinical ciences discipline and senior lecturer in cardiovascular biochemistry, said the discovery could lead to very different ways of treating conditions caused by inflammation.

"The physical interface between iNOS and IRG1 is a potential drug target, and a precise one" he said.

"Rather than dampening the immune response across the board, you could design something that disrupts just this interaction, freeing up the natural mechanisms that keep inflammation in check."

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