Protein found to help limit inflammation

Researchers from The University of Queensland (UQ) have discovered a previously unknown role for the cholesterol regulatory protein LRP1, showing that it also manages the body’s inflammation response.

Led by Dr Lin Luo and Professor Jennifer Stow, from UQ’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience, the discovery will help us understand how poorly controlled inflammation exacerbates diseases including cystic fibrosis, Alzheimer’s, atherosclerosis and cancer.

As explained by Professor Stow, chronic inflammatory diseases occur when inflammation cannot be effectively switched off, leading to recurrent damage to organs such as the lungs. “Inflammation is typically launched to ward off infection or danger, then subsequently curtailed to avoid ongoing tissue damage,” she said.

“The inflammatory response is activated by Toll-like receptors, which are pathogen detectors on the surface of immune cells that serve as an alarm system for the body by recognising disease-causing or damaging molecules.

“We found that LRP1 is simultaneously activated and works in tandem with the pathogen detectors to ensure the inflammatory response is robust but self-limiting.

“LRP1 acts as a vital brake in this pathway, ensuring that inflammation does not go on to damage our own organs.”

Published in the journal Cell Reports, the discovery may have significant implications for the future treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases, enhancing our understanding of the growing link between cholesterol, metabolism and inflammation.

“We are using this discovery to develop ways to manipulate inflammation which could help to limit organ damage in conditions like cystic fibrosis and other chronic diseases,” Professor Stow said.

“While these interwoven systems are complicated, they are important to research and understand from a treatment perspective, offering both challenges and exciting potential for the cross-purposing of new and existing drugs.”

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