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'Beneficial inflammation' may promote healing in pulmonary fibrosis

A study published in the American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology suggests that TNF-α, a pro-inflammatory cytokine, accelerates lung recovery and reduces scar tissue in mice with pulmonary fibrosis. The researchers found that inflammation can be beneficial during the healing process, rather than just causing scarring.

SourceNational Jewish Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology·DateApr 25, 2014

The anti-inflammatory factory

Researchers at Lomonosov Moscow State University and Pittsburgh University have identified a new biosynthetic pathway for lipid mediators, producing molecules that regulate inflammation and cell death. The study's findings could lead to the development of new anti-inflammatory drugs.

SourceLomonosov Moscow State University·JournalNature Chemistry·DateApr 21, 2014

Filling me softly

Scientists at the University of Cambridge discovered that implant stiffness is a major cause of foreign body reactions. The team found that stiff materials trigger inflammation and cell shape changes in brain cells, leading to encapsulation with scar tissue.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalBiomaterials·DateFeb 12, 2014

Infections damage our ability to form spatial memories

Increased inflammation after infections impairs brain's ability to form spatial memories by disrupting neural circuits involved in learning and memory. The study used PET scans to measure effects of inflammation on glucose consumption in the brain, revealing a decrease in glucose metabolism in the Medial Temporal Lobe.

SourceWellcome Trust·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateJan 24, 2014

Tomato therapy: Engineered veggies target intestinal lipids, improve cholesterol

Researchers at UCLA found that engineered tomatoes can reduce the negative effects of unsaturated lysophosphatidic acids (LPAs) in mice, which are linked to high cholesterol and inflammation. The tomatoes produce a peptide that mimics HDL ('good') cholesterol, stopping increases in 'bad' cholesterol and inflammation.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Lipid Research·DateNov 13, 2013

Hope of new treatment for severe asthma patients

A new study from RIKEN and Keio University reveals that Pimozide can restore steroid effects on natural helper cells in severe asthmatic patients. Researchers found that thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) induces corticosteroid resistance in these cells.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 25, 2013

Light as medicine?

Researchers at UWM have discovered that near-infrared (NIR) and blue light can repair tissue in dramatically different ways, but both act on the same enzyme in the cell's energy supply center: the mitochondria. NIR light has been shown to improve MS symptoms in rodent models, while blue light kills bacteria that cause infection.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin - Milwaukee·JournalPhotomedicine and Laser Surgery·DateOct 21, 2013

Prolactin reduces arthritis inflammation

Researchers at National University of Mexico found that prolactin can prevent chondrocyte death and associated cartilage degradation in rheumatoid arthritis models. Prolactin treatment reduced inflammation, bone erosion, joint swelling, and pain in rat models.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateAug 1, 2013

Programmed destruction

A recent Weizmann Institute study has discovered that caspase 8 signaling enzymes, which were previously thought to only induce programmed cell death, can also activate an entirely different process in certain cells - causing inflammation more directly. This finding highlights the need for further research into the signals transmitted ...

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalImmunity·DateMar 18, 2013

BUSM study reveals therapeutic targets to alter inflammation, type 2 diabetes

A study from Boston University School of Medicine reveals that B cells secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines promoting insulin resistance and directly regulating inflammatory T cells. This discovery supports the exploration of FDA-approved B cell depletion drugs as novel agents to prevent obesity-associated inflammation and type 2 diabetes.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 12, 2013

JCI early table of contents for Feb. 1, 2013

Researchers have found that transplanted neural stem cells can migrate to the gut and develop into functional neurons, providing a promising new treatment for gastrointestinal motility disorders. Additionally, a protein called MFGE8 has been identified as an important regulator of inflammation, blocking inflammasome activity and limiti...

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 1, 2013