A recent study by Monash University has found that proteins are found naturally on saliva fleas, called Evasins, can be modified to prevent important protein activities in human inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, asthma and multiple sclerosis This study, conducted at the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, shows that it is possible to modify evasin so that they bind to the right group of human proteins that promote disease (kemokines), help suppress inflammation.
This new discovery opens the door for the development of new therapy that is needed for inflammatory diseases This finding has now been published in the process of the United States National Sciences Academy (PNAS) Inflammatory diseases, such as atherosclerosis, arthritis, psoriasis, asthma and multiple sclerosis, all involve the same underlying phenomenon in which body white blood cells attack certain networks. White blood cells are interested in this network by protein classes (kemokines) produced in affected networks (e.g. blood vessel walls in atherosclerosis, joints in arthritis). By targeting Kemokin, Evasins blocks the movement of white blood cells and the damage to the network produced.
Usually, every species of flea issued a cocktail of Evasins, thus achieving a broad spectrum emphasis of the host inflammation response, it might allow fleas to feed the extended period while not warning the host of the presence of fleas However, some kemokin is involved in inflammatory diseases while others are needed for normal immune function. Therefore, for therapeutic applications, it is important to modify evasin so that they only target the kemokin causes of disease.
Co-lead Author Professor Martin Stone said this study had identified the structural basis for the introduction of Kemokin and set the foundation for Evasins techniques “We have shown that it is possible to engineer evasin with superior ability, giving us a new structural model where protein can achieve binding selectivity,” said Professor Stone Dr. Ram Bhusal, the co-lead project, said: “Until now, no anti-inflammatory therapy targets the Kemokin system, which makes this important work significance for opening a new path for anti-inflammatory research. However, work in the future It is still needed to ensure that this biomolecule avoids the effects of off-target. “
