IMAGE: Dr Claire McCoy, Senior Lecturer in Psychology at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences. view more
Credit: Patrick Bolger
DUBLIN, Friday, March 5, 2021: RCSI researchers have found a new way to put the brakes on excessive inflammation by regulating a type of white blood cell that is vital for our immune system.
This finding has the potential to protect the body from unexplained damage caused by inflammatory diseases.
The paper, led by researchers at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, is published in Nature Communication.
When immune cells (white blood cells) in our body called macrophages are exposed to strong infectious agents, powerful inflammatory proteins called cytokines are made to fight against an infectious attack. However, if these cytokine levels get out of control, significant damage in tissue can occur.
The researchers have found that a protein called Arginase-2 works through the energy source of macrophage cells, called mitochondria, to prevent inflammation. In particular they have shown for the first time that Arginase-2 is essential for the reduction of a strong inflammatory cytokine called IL-1.
This discovery could allow researchers to develop new therapies that target Arginase-2 proteins and protect the body from unexplained damage caused by inflammatory diseases.
“Excessive inflammation is a prominent feature in many diseases such as multiple sclerosis, arthritis and inflammatory infectious diseases. Through our discovery, we may be able to develop a novel therapeutic remedy for the treatment of inflammatory and inflammatory diseases. improve the quality of life of people with those conditions, “said senior author of the paper, Dr Claire McCoy, Senior Lecturer in Psychology at RCSI.
The study was led by researchers at the RCSI School of Medicine and Biomolecular Sciences (Dr Claire McCoy, Dr Jennifer Dowling and Ms Remsha Afzal) in collaboration with a network of international researchers from Australia, Germany , and Switzerland.
The research was funded by Science Foundation Ireland, with the first stages of the research coming from a grant from the National Health Medical Research Council, Australia.
###
About RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences
Ranked number one globally for Good Health and Wellbeing in the Times Higher Education (THE) University 2020 Impact Rankings, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences is a non-profit international university, with its premier an office in Dublin.
RCSI specifically focuses on education and research to drive improvements in human health around the world. It is among the top 250 universities in the world in the rankings of the World University (2021) and its research is first rated in Ireland for citation. RCSI has earned Athena Swan Bronze accreditation for good sex practice in higher education.
Visit the RCSI MySealth Expert Guide to find details of our experts across a range of healthcare issues and concerns. Recognizing the responsibility of sharing their knowledge and findings to empower people with information that will lead them to better health, these clinicians and researchers are willing to engage with the media in the their field of expertise.
For more information, contact:
Jane Butler, Chief Communications Officer, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences [email protected] | +353 87 7531877
Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! they are not responsible for the accuracy of press releases posted to EurekAlert! by sending institutions or for using any information through the EurekAlert system.