Protein produced by the nervous system may help treatments for inflammatory diseases

Protein produced by the nervous system may help treatments for inflammatory diseases
COPD is the third most common cause of death among inflammatory diseases and allergies the sixth in the United States. Credit: Rutgers University

A Rutgers-led team may have found the key to treating inflammatory diseases like asthma, allergies, chronic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

In a study published in the journal Nature Immunology, researchers discovered that neuromedin B (NMB), a protein produced by the , was responsible for preventing overactive immune responses and damaging inflammation. An refers to the body's ability to recognize and defend itself against harmful substances. Although beneficial to help clear infections, an immune response can also promote damaging inflammation if not properly restricted. The researchers found that the NMB protein can stop the type of inflammation that that occurs in diseases like asthma, allergies, chronic fibrosis and COPD.

"For many years, the mechanism through which the body shuts down an inflammatory response to heal itself after worm infections remained poorly understood," said Mark C. Siracusa, lead author and an assistant professor at the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. "Our study provided that understanding and a hope for possible treatments using NMB, which has great potential to treat inflammatory diseases like asthma, allergies and COPD."

COPD is the third most common cause of death among and allergies the sixth in the United States.

"Scientists previously thought the was capable of regulating itself in order to resolve inflammation to prevent tissue damage. However, emerging work is beginning to reveal that complex interactions between the immune system and the nervous system serve to restrict inflammation and promote health," said Siracusa.

A patent cooperation treaty (PCT) was filed by Rutgers Office of Research Commercialization. The next steps for researchers include developing drugs using the protein to treat diseases like asthma, COPD, and allergies.

More information: Juan M. Inclan-Rico et al, Basophils prime group 2 innate lymphoid cells for neuropeptide-mediated inhibition, Nature Immunology (2020). DOI: 10.1038/s41590-020-0753-y

Journal information: Nature Immunology
Provided by Rutgers University
Citation: Protein produced by the nervous system may help treatments for inflammatory diseases (2020, August 17) retrieved 29 March 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-08-protein-nervous-treatments-inflammatory-diseases.html
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