POP1-Based Treatments May Reduce Inflammation

The researchers next looked to see if there was an association between POP1 and inflammation in patients. They found patients with sepsis and cryopyrinopathy had less POP1 in their cells than did controls. The results suggest that POP1 may prevent overactivation of the inflammatory response and, thus, prevent diseases caused by excessive inflammation.

To evaluate this possibility, the investigators developed a proof-of-principle drug based on POP1 and found it significantly reduced inflammation in a mouse model of peritonitis. The study results suggest that treatments based on POP1 have the potential to improve many inflammatory diseases.

Lara C. Pullen, PhD, is a medical writer based in the Chicago area.

Reference

1. de Almeida L, Khare S, Misharin AV, et al. The PYRIN domain-only protein POP1 inhibits inflammasome assembly and ameliorates inflammatory disease. Immunity. 2015 Aug 18;43(2):264–276. doi: 10.1016/j.immuni.2015.07.018. Epub 2015 Aug 11.
2. Dunne N. News release: Protein found to control inflammatory response. Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. 2015 Aug 19.