Irish researchers have discovered the presence of a protein involved in asthma. This could lead to the development of new therapeutic avenues.
In France, 6 to 7% of the adult population suffers from asthma, that is approximately 4 million people. The number of cases has increased in recent years. This can be explained by pollution or exposure to endocrine disruptors. On a European scale, Ireland is one of the countries with the highest rate of asthma. Irish researchers from Trinity College Dublin have made a discovery that could lead to better treatment options.
In the review NatureCommunications, they explain that they have discovered a protein, Caspase-11, which plays an essential role in asthma. His involvement had never been determined. The scientific team specifies that this protein, which is important in the defense against bacteria, can cause a serious inflammatory reaction when it is too active. This inflammatory reaction is likely to be related to the allergic inflammation found in the lungs of asthmatics.
The protein targets pollens, dust mites and pollutants
“Caspase-11 can cause cell death, which is a very inflammatory event because the cells then release their contents and this can irritate the tissues of our body. We found that caspase-11 is a key driver of airway inflammation in asthma, which causes the signs and symptoms of asthma that include difficulty breathing.”, explains Dr. Zbigniew Zaslona, lead author of the study. Researchers also believe that this protein detects harmful elements such as pollen, dust mites or even atmospheric pollutants and causes diseases such as asthma.
While mild asthma can be well managed with current therapies, severe asthma remains very difficult to treat. The researchers hope that their discovery may lead to the development of new effective treatments capable of targeting this protein.
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