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IRF5: Protein-key inflammation.

Discovery of key protein of the immune system in inflammation.

17.01.2011

scientists' Imperial College London have identified a protein called IRF5 that acts as a "switch" in certain white blood cells, to determine whether they promote or inhibit inflammation . The study, published in the journal Nature Immunology , could help researchers find new treatments for diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis that involves excessive inflammation.

"Our results show that IRF5 is the main switch in a key set of immune system cells, and determines the profile of genes that are activated in those cells. " "This is really exciting because it means that if we are able to design molecules that interfere with the function IRF5, might give us new anti-inflammatory treatments for a wide range of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, lupus and multiple sclerosis. " Says Dr. Irina Udalova from the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology at Imperial College in London. "In addition, increased levels of IRF5 could help treat people whose immune system is compromised."
Read abstract:
IRF5 polarization Promotes macrophage inflammatory responses and TH1-TH17
Krausgruber Thomas, Katrina Blazek, Tim Small, Saba Alzabin, Helen Lockstone, Natasha Sahgal, Tracy Hussell, Marc Feldmann & Irina A Udalova
Nature Immunology Published online: January 16, 2011

Source: Alpha Galileo Health