When inflammatory bowel disease becomes chronic, it is difficult to treat and comes with the likelihood of various complications, such as the onset of bowel cancer. This disease in its chronic form manifests as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. These diseases particularly impact young people. Early diagnosis followed by treatment is crucial in these cases.
A recent study whose findings appeared in the Nature Immunology journal has unveiled a therapeutic target capable of significantly putting the brakes on the processes behind the chronic inflammation underlying inflammatory bowel disease.
The research was conducted by a team based at Charite-Universitatsmedizin Berlin. Professor Ahmed Hegazy, together with his team, identified how the interactions between a pair of messenger substances within the immune system acted as a driver for chronic inflammation in the intestine.
One of these messenger substances is interleukin-22 that plays key roles like maintaining the protective barrier inside the intestine and also supporting the functioning of cells lining the gut. The second messenger substance is oncostatin M, a molecule that helps in inter-cellular signaling and is a major player in cell differentiation as well as tissue repair.
Prof. Hegazy explains that new treatments for inflammatory bowel disease are needed since not all patients respond positively when given the existing treatments. Previous studies conducted by Hegazy and his research team found that oncostatin M set off a domino-effect of other pro-inflammation factors, resulting in an excessive response by the immune system.
In this latest study, the researchers found that patients whose levels of oncostatin M were high didn’t respond appropriately to many of the common treatments. This finding suggests that measuring the level of oncostatin M can provide pointers regarding which patients are unlikely to benefit from treatment. It could also help in identifying patients with severe forms of the disease.
The team also found that cells in inflamed guts have more receptors for oncostatin M, including cells that don’t usually have these receptors. The researchers say interleukin-22 increases the sensitivity of the gut lining to oncostatin M by ramping up oncostatin M receptor numbers. This shows that oncostatin M and interlukin-22 collaborate to amplify inflammation in ways similar to fires that spread as a result of accessing additional fuel.
Worryingly, the team discovered that for patients with colorectal cancer, the tumors had unusually high numbers of receptors for oncostatin M yet the normal tissue around the tumor didn’t have a similar level of these receptors. This finding suggests that oncostatin M could be playing a role in cancer development, but requires additional research to validate.
The findings of Hegazy and his team could open the door to future treatments that seek to block the problematic interaction between oncostatin M and interlukin-22 so that the progression of ailments like Crohn’s disease can be halted or even reversed.
Chronic inflammation isn’t easy to treat since so many factors are usually involved, which is why plenty of research needs to be done to uncover all the mechanisms involved. The academia and for-profit entities like Soligenix Inc. (NASDAQ: SNGX) are doing the best they can to develop effective ways to treat patients diagnosed with these conditions.
About BioMedWire
BioMedWire (“BMW”) is a specialized communications platform with a focus on the latest developments in the Biotechnology (BioTech), Biomedical Sciences (BioMed) and Life Sciences sectors. It is one of 70+ brands within the Dynamic Brand Portfolio @ IBN that delivers: (1) access to a vast network of wire solutions via InvestorWire to efficiently and effectively reach a myriad of target markets, demographics and diverse industries; (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ outlets; (3) enhanced press release enhancement to ensure maximum impact; (4) social media distribution via IBN to millions of social media followers; and (5) a full array of tailored corporate communications solutions. With broad reach and a seasoned team of contributing journalists and writers, BMW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that want to reach a wide audience of investors, influencers, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, BMW brings its clients unparalleled recognition and brand awareness.
BMW is where breaking news, insightful content and actionable information converge.
To receive SMS alerts from BioMedWire, “Biotech” to 888-902-4192 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)
For more information, please visit https://www.BioMedWire.com
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the BioMedWire website applicable to all content provided by BMW, wherever published or re-published: https://www.BioMedWire.com/Disclaimer
BioMedWire
San Francisco, CA
www.BioMedWire.com
415.949.5050 Office
Editor@BioMedWire.com
BioMedWire is powered by IBN
The company’s non-invasive fingerprint drug screening system uses fingerprint sweat to screen for drugs such…
Soligenix’s HyBryte(TM) is a photodynamic therapy using synthetically manufactured hypericin, one of the most photoactive…
As U.S. news outlets focus on the economic turmoil triggered by tariffs, another story is…
The Kadima Neuropsychiatry Institute acquisition is part of NRx subsidiary HOPE Therapeutics’ model for a…
Buprenorphine is a medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) to treat…
NTRB listed on the Nasdaq in 2021, is trading above its IPO price, and hit…