SARS-CoV-2 could proliferate in the lungs causing severe COVID-19 through a special type of immune cell. A group of scientists from Stanford University observed how this coronavirus infected interstitial macrophages through a CD209 receptor, triggering the inflammatory response observed in hospitalized patients.
The Scripps Research Institute has disclosed Ras-related protein Rab-27A/synaptotagmin-like protein 1 (SYTL1; JFC1) interaction inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of endotoxemia, sepsis, systemic inflammatory response syndrome and cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS).
Sitryx Therapeutics Ltd. has nominated SYX-5219 as the first candidate from its proprietary pipeline to progress to regulatory nonclinical studies to support a clinical trial authorization (CTA). SYX-5219 has the potential to address a broad range of inflammatory diseases and will advance into the clinic for the treatment of atopic dermatitis.
Vernalis (R&D) Ltd., a subsidiary of Hitgen Inc., and C4x Discovery Holdings plc have entered into a collaboration to identify modulators of an undisclosed, hard-to-drug, high-value target involved in inflammatory disease.
A small molecule could provide a new therapeutic approach against organ fibrosis. Using genome-wide association (GWA) assays, a group of researchers from the Westmead Institute for Medical Research in Sydney identified Mer tyrosine kinase (MERTK) as a candidate to study fibrosis and showed that its inhibition with the experimental compound reduced this condition in mouse models’ liver, kidneys and lungs. “There were some studies on the role of MERTK in liver fibrosis, but its therapeutic potential for various organ fibrosis has not been explored before. This study provides unequivocal evidence that MERTK is a potent nodal regulator of fibrosis supported by detailed mechanistic studies,” the senior author Mohammed Eslam told BioWorld.
Exscientia plc has described NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of atherosclerosis, autoimmune disease, cancer, gout, inflammatory and neurological disorders, psoriasis and sickle cell disease.
Tibet Haisco Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. has disclosed integrin α4β7 (LPAM-1) and/or α4β1 (ITGA4; VLA-4) antagonists reported to be useful for the treatment of inflammatory disorders.
Scientists from the Australian National University have discovered the gene mutation responsible for causing psoriasis, and the findings could lead to improved diagnosis and treatment for patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, a chronic inflammatory skin disease. “We were able to identify the gene that could be important in enabling this progression from a skin-only condition to a skin-and-joint condition,” lead study author Chelisa Cardinez told BioWorld.
Scientists from the Australian National University have discovered the gene mutation responsible for causing psoriasis, and the findings could lead to improved diagnosis and treatment for patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, a chronic inflammatory skin disease. “We were able to identify the gene that could be important in enabling this progression from a skin-only condition to a skin-and-joint condition,” lead study author Chelisa Cardinez told BioWorld.
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) signaling regulates gene expression in immune and skin cells and plays a critical role in maintaining skin homeostasis.