Detection of proteins that control immune cells

Research published on January 16 in the Journal of Natural Immunity shows that scientists have discovered a type of protein that acts as a 'control switch,' deciding whether white blood cells will enhance or control inflammation.

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This finding may help find a new drug to treat chronic arthritis. Because now, special drugs do not work for more than 30% of patients with chronic arthritis.

In this study, scientists at I mperial College in London discovered a protein called IRF5, which acts as a ' molecular switch ' that controls white blood cells called macrophages (macrophages ) enhance or control inflammation.

According to the scientists, the results suggest that the prevention of IRF5 production in macrophages may be an effective way to treat a wide range of autoimmune diseases such as chronic arthritis, enteritis, luput. and multiple sclerosis.

The scientists also confirmed that increasing IRF5 levels could help treat people with weak and vulnerable immune systems .

Specifically, they said: ' Our research results show that IRF5 is a controlling factor in a set of important immune cells, which outlines the genes in these cells. This is significant because if it is possible to delineate functional interfering molecules of IRF5, we will have new anti-inflammatory treatments in different situations . '

According to the scientists, IRF5 seems to work by strengthening genes that stimulate inflammation to counteract inflammation and weaken genes that block them. IRF5 does so by interacting directly with DNA or interacting with other proteins that control which genes are stimulated.

The group of scientists is studying how IRF5 works at the molecular level and IRF5 interacts with other proteins, then they can find out what their effects are.