Research on inflammation and its role in disease. Covers eye inflammation, personalized anti-inflammatory medicine, aging, and chronic pain links.
Stem cell transplantation has been shown to reverse stroke damage in mice by regenerating neurons and restoring motor functions. The treatment also improved blood-brain barrier integrity, reduced inflammation, and promoted new blood vessel formation.
Researchers found that an astrocytic 'brake' mechanism, fueled by the neurotransmitter GABA, blocks spinal cord repair after injury. Inhibiting this pathway with the MAOB inhibitor KDS2010 enables recovery of spinal cord function in animal models.
A consortium led by the University of Southampton aims to advance cutting-edge treatments for lung cancer, blood cancers, and chronic inflammation. The ON-TRACT project will train researchers in academic, industrial, and clinical settings to develop safer and more effective treatments.
Researchers found that improving diet quality reduced chronic musculoskeletal pain from 50% to 24%, while also decreasing pain-related quality of life. The study suggests that adopting a healthier diet may lead to meaningful reductions in pain and improve overall wellbeing.
Researchers found that methotrexate significantly lowers systolic blood pressure in people with rheumatoid arthritis. The study suggests that this could be a new benefit of the drug beyond its usual role in treating inflammation, and may also provide protection against heart disease.
A study led by Dr. Eliza McElwee finds that inflammation triggered by infection can lead to fetal brain inflammation and preterm birth. By administering a complement inhibitor, pregnant mice showed reduced inflammation and increased viability of offspring, suggesting a potential new therapeutic approach.
Researchers at Institute of Science Tokyo found that basophils suppress lung inflammation during ARDS recovery, suggesting potential treatment strategies. Basophils release interleukin-4, which helps immune cells coordinate responses and alleviate lung inflammation.
Scientists at Trinity College Dublin discovered that electrically stimulating macrophages can shift them into an anti-inflammatory state, promoting faster tissue repair. This breakthrough offers a potentially powerful new therapeutic option for treating inflammation-driven diseases and injuries.
This review synthesizes evidence from clinical trials on the efficacy of transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation (tVNS) in managing abdominal pain, improving gastrointestinal symptoms, and enhancing motility in disorders such as functional dyspepsia, gastroparesis, irritable bowel syndrome, and inflammatory bowel disease. tVNS demonstra...
A new investigational drug, ION224, shows promise in treating metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), a serious form of fatty liver disease. By targeting the DGAT2 enzyme, the drug helps reduce fat buildup and inflammation, two major drivers of liver damage.
Researchers discovered that inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) leads to blood clotting due to a lack of layilin protein, which prevents platelets from forming unwanted clots. A drug targeting Rac1 activity could reduce excessive clotting and alleviate day-to-day IBD symptoms.
A team of researchers created a 3D-bioprinted model of stenotic brain blood vessels to study the effects of abnormal flow patterns on endothelial cells. The model successfully replicated physiological conditions, including upregulation of inflammatory markers.
An international team of researchers established standardized guidelines for analyzing oxylipins, bioactive lipids related to inflammation and disease. The guidelines aim to improve reproducibility in laboratories and facilitate the transfer of scientific discoveries to clinical practice.
The study demonstrates that modulating the vagus nerve can effectively halt the progression of cachexia, enhance chemotherapy outcomes, and improve survival in preclinical models. This intervention restores normal liver metabolism, reduces systemic inflammation, and alleviates cachectic symptoms.
Insilico Medicine has completed IND-enabling studies for ISM8969, an orally available NLRP3 inhibitor targeting inflammation and neurodegenerative disorders. The drug candidate demonstrated favorable PD/PK profiles and dose-dependent efficacy in motor functions in animal models.
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma are conducting a first-of-its-kind study to investigate the effect of cannabis use on facial wound healing in head and neck cancer patients. The study aims to determine whether cannabis smoking negatively affects wound healing, with potential implications for other types of surgery and conditions.
The JAK2-STAT3 pathway contributes to inflammation and injury after ischemic stroke. Targeting this pathway shows promise for reducing brain swelling, neuronal death, and improving recovery. Several inhibitors have been found effective in preclinical models, including Tyrphostin AG490, Ruxolitinib, and natural compounds like genistein.
Researchers found that certain antiviral genes become less active with age in people with lupus, leading to fewer inflammatory proteins. This reversal of 'inflammaging' may explain why symptoms improve in some older patients, allowing them to approach healthy aging.
Research found that chronic exposure to PM10 and PM2.5 air pollutants activates harmful allergic-like immune responses in the lungs, leading to inflammation and scarring. The study suggests targeting oxidative stress or modulating NRF2 activity could be a new strategy to treat pollution-induced allergic inflammation.
Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine have discovered a link between stress and inflammation and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), a type of aggressive and lethal cancer. The findings could lead to the detection of PDAC before it becomes life-threatening, enabling early screening tools for precision medicine.
Conventional dendritic cells have been found to originate from both myeloid and lymphoid progenitors, revealing their unique functions and developmental pathways. These lymphoid-derived cDCs exhibit potent functions in immune suppression and allergy induction, and follow diverse developmental pathways.
Researchers developed a chemical probe that binds to damaged mitochondrial DNA, blocking enzymatic processes that lead to its degradation. This approach lessens mtDNA loss, preserving energy production in vulnerable tissues. The new molecule successfully reduced inflammation and maintained functional DNA despite chemical tagging.
Studies have shown that emotional or psychological stress enhances pain responses, but the effects of social pain transmission remain elusive. Researchers found that ultrasonic vocalizations emitted by mice in response to pain stimuli can induce emotional transmission and hyperalgesia in other mice.
A 20-year study suggests that increased access to innovative treatments has led to a significant drop in patients requiring surgery for ulcerative colitis. The use of advanced therapies targeting the immune system has improved treatment outcomes and reduced the need for colectomy procedures.
A study reveals that a combination of dysbiosis, OTUD3 gene mutations, and STING signaling aggravate ulcerative colitis. The intestinal flora plays a vital role in UC, but an unbalanced microbiome with fewer beneficial microbes and more harmful ones contributes to the disease.
A new study found that older adults with insomnia face triple the risk of developing depressive symptoms compared to sound sleepers. The study suggests that treatments targeted at inflammation-related depression may benefit these patients and improve their overall quality of life.
Chemotherapy-induced pyroptosis in bladder cancer can actually make the disease more resistant to treatment by fueling cancer stem cells. Blocking this inflammatory process with belnacasan may overcome chemoresistance in preclinical models.
A survey from the Orlando Health Spine Center found that Americans often opt for short-term relief methods such as rest (44%), over-the-counter pain relievers (42%), and hot/cold therapies (29%) when dealing with neck and back pain. In contrast, only 5% consider surgery as a top option for pain relief.
Chronic health issues may emerge from long-term obesity in young adults, leading to epigenetic alterations, telomere attrition, and impaired nutrient sensing. The study found a significant association between long-term obesity and accelerated biological aging, highlighting the importance of addressing obesity early on.
Researchers found that ring-tailed and sifaka lemurs show differences in life pacing and lifespan, making them useful comparisons to human evolution. The study suggests that lemurs avoid the phenomenon of inflammaging widely observed in humans, pointing to potential differences in aging mechanisms.
Researchers explore the biological mechanisms of myopenia in RA, finding it affects individuals of all ages, with notable muscle mass loss without concurrent fat loss. The review highlights the diagnostic and therapeutic relevance of myopenia in RA, emphasizing the importance of early detection and tailored management strategies.
A large prospective study found that a healthy plant-based diet is associated with an 8% lower risk of ulcerative colitis and a 14% lower risk of Crohn’s disease. Fruits and vegetables were identified as key protective factors against inflammatory bowel disease.
A study found that exposure to β-glucan reprograms immune cells in the lungs, causing them to overreact and worsen lung damage. The research suggests that trained immunity in the lungs may have negative consequences in certain contexts.
Researchers discover a novel metabolic pathway, glyoxalase system, that regulates excessive immune responses by targeting a previously underexplored metabolic pathway. The GLO2-SLG-D-lactylation pathway suppresses inflammatory signaling, reducing inflammation in acute and autoimmune disease settings.
A study published in Neurobiology of Disease found that melanin degradation is impaired in genetically engineered mice lacking the SLC26A4 gene, leading to chronic inflammation and macrophage activation. The researchers propose a novel pathological cascade where melanin accumulation exacerbates hearing loss in pigmented individuals.
Researchers have identified WSTF as a protein that could be targeted to block chronic inflammation, allowing the immune system to continue responding appropriately to short-term threats. The study's findings suggest new potential treatments targeting WSTF may combat chronic inflammatory diseases
Researchers found that individuals with European ancestry have a higher inflammatory response to the dengue virus, which can lead to severe disease. In contrast, those with African ancestry have a lower inflammatory response, making them less susceptible to severe dengue fever. The study's findings could lead to precision medicine appr...
A large-scale study found no association between medication use and the development of microscopic colitis, contradicting previous findings. SSRIs were linked to a slightly higher risk, but also increased the likelihood of receiving a colonoscopy.
Researchers found that lung cancer patients with both high levels of depression and inflammation at diagnosis had increasing depressive symptoms over the next eight months. These patients showed no changes in depression when only having high levels of depression or only high levels of inflammation, or neither. The study suggests an add...
Researchers at Harvard University's Wyss Institute have successfully created human microglia cells in a dish, using induced pluripotent stem cells, within four days. This breakthrough enables new avenues for brain disease-focused research and potential therapeutic perspectives.
A new study reveals that the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein can spread between cells, triggering an immune response that mistakenly targets healthy cells. The researchers found that a commonly used anticoagulant, enoxaparin, can block this harmful interaction, potentially offering a new avenue for treatment.
Charité researchers identified a therapeutic target that significantly contributes to halting ongoing inflammatory processes. They found that interleukin-22 and oncostatin M drive inflammation by amplifying the immune response. Targeted treatments may help high-risk patients, but chronic diseases remain complex and difficult to predict.
MicroRNAs modulate inflammation across major cardiovascular risk factors, making them potential biomarkers for early detection and targets for prevention. Specific miRNAs regulate individual immune cell types in cardiovascular pathology, such as promoting M2 polarization and reducing plaque burden.
A new study suggests that a drug used to prevent alcohol abuse can also interrupt runaway cell death and inflammation triggered by severe trauma, particularly in female mice. The findings may lead to therapies that could shorten hospital stays and improve survival rates if administered promptly after traumatic injuries.
A recent study found that individuals with a specific type of gut bacteria (Firmicutes) had higher bone mineral density and better metabolic health. The researchers suggest that promoting the growth of butyrate-producing bacteria could be an effective strategy for maintaining bone mass and preventing osteoporosis.
Researchers found that residual inflammation in psoriasis patients is linked to obesity, metabolic dysfunction, and increased systemic inflammation. This study suggests that despite good skin response to biologics, patients may still exhibit broader health implications, such as cardiovascular disease and fatty liver disease.
Emerging research links microbial dysbiosis to aging, as dysbiosis accelerates DNA damage and telomere shortening. Therapeutic strategies targeting the microbiome may promote healthy longevity.
Researchers find inhibiting TMEM219 signaling restores mucosal healing in inflammatory bowel diseases and protects intestinal stem cells from death. The study suggests TMEM219 overactivation induces intestinal stem cell death, preventing mucosal renewal during inflammation.
A study published in Molecular Motabolism found that prolonged water-fasting can increase inflammation and stress on the body, potentially exacerbating existing heart and vascular conditions. However, some benefits were observed, including a reduction in amyloid beta proteins associated with Alzheimer's disease.
Zhaoqi Yan, a scientist at Gladstone Institutes, has been awarded the 2025 Warren Alpert Distinguished Scholar fellowship to investigate the molecular mechanisms behind blood-brain barrier dysfunction. His research aims to develop new therapeutic strategies for neurological diseases, including Alzheimer's.
Researchers discovered a key step in the hepatic ERK pathway that triggers insulin production in response to colonic inflammation caused by obesity. The study reveals a novel role of the gastrointestinal tract in regulating glucose homeostasis.
A cohort study found that exposure to conversion therapy increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure, inflammation, and high blood pressure in SGM individuals. The findings highlight the need for stronger public health interventions to ban conversion therapy practices.
Researchers have found that promoting glucose metabolism in glial cells can relieve inflammation and photoreceptor degeneration in Alzheimer's patients. This discovery presents an exciting new therapeutic target for treating neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson's.
Research at the University of Bristol has linked mental health conditions like depression and schizophrenia to immune response, suggesting a fundamental change in understanding causal mechanisms. The study identified 29 potential biomarkers that could be used for novel therapeutics in mental health conditions.
A harmful form of tau protein directly damages blood vessels in the brain, leading to inflammation and weakening the brain's protective shield. The discovery highlights the importance of focusing on early neurovascular changes mediated by tau to prevent or slow down damage to the blood-brain barrier.
Researchers at University of Turku discovered a new biomarker that correlates the thickness of inflammatory cell rim surrounding brain lesions with disease severity and speed. The wider the rim, the more aggressively the disease advances, allowing for earlier treatment identification and evaluating drug candidates.
Researchers at Tulane University identified a potential new way to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) using an FDA-approved cancer drug. The treatment works by blocking the CTLA4 protein, which blocks overactive T cells, allowing the immune system to clear out damaged cells that cause lung scarring.
Researchers at McGill University have identified a potential new treatment for chronic low back pain by targeting 'zombie cells' in the spine. Two drugs, o-Vanillin and RG-7112, were found to clear zombie cells, reduce pain and inflammation, and slow or reverse damage to spinal discs after eight weeks of treatment.
A UConn clinical trial confirms walnuts improve colonic health by reducing systemic inflammation and increasing the production of potent anti-inflammatory molecules called urolithins. Elevated urolithin A levels correlated with reduced colon cancer risk, particularly in obese patients.
Researchers found major disruptions in the gut microbiome after alcohol and burn injury, with beneficial microbes depleted and harmful species surging. The study suggests replenishing lost microbial metabolites could help protect the gut and body after trauma.