Breakthrough in understanding cell communication during inflammation

AI Summary

Researchers at the Indiana University School of Medicine have discovered a crucial signaling molecule, STAT4, that plays a significant role in inflammation and immune responses in the central nervous system. This molecule was previously thought to primarily function in T cells but was found to be crucial in dendritic cells in response to extracellular messages IL-12 and IL-23. Understanding this cell communication mechanism could lead to the development of new therapeutics for treating inflammatory diseases like multiple sclerosis.

Indiana University School of Medicine researchers have made significant progress in understanding how cells communicate during inflammation. The study, recently published in PNAS, was conducted over a period of five years and focused on the molecules that enable cells to function during inflammation, particularly in the central nervous system where diseases like multiple sclerosis occur.

Communication is key in any relationship, even at the level of cells that cause disease. The molecules that allow cells to function in inflammation are essentially text messages sent between or within cells. We have been studying what cells get those text messages and how they respond in an inflammatory environment in the central nervous system that leads to diseases like multiple sclerosis.”

Mark Kaplan, PhD, chair of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the IU School of Medicine and senior author of the study

The signaling molecule is called STAT4 and was previously believed to primarily function in T cells, which are part of the immune system. But the team found it plays a crucial role in dendritic cells, a specific cell type that responds to extracellular text messages IL-12 and IL-23. 

“Our work identified how STAT4 might be a viable target for treating inflammatory disease in the central nervous system,” Kaplan said. “By understanding the communication between cells and the role of STAT4, we can potentially develop therapeutics to modify immune responses and alleviate the symptoms of diseases like multiple sclerosis.” 

The lead author of the study, Nada Alakhras, PhD, is a recent IU School of Medicine graduate who now works at Eli Lilly and Company. Other authors include Wenwu Zhang, Nicolas

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