cytokines

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cytokines

·August 1, 2021·7 min read

Treatment Lets Obese Mice Lose Weight by Sweating Fat

Obese mice treated with the TSLP cytokine showed a significant loss in abdominal fat and weight. The fat loss was not associated with reduced food intake or faster metabolism, instead the cytokine stimulated the immune system to release lipids via the skin's oil-producing sebaceous glands.

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·June 23, 2021·5 min read

Inflammatory Proteins May Slow Cognitive Decline in Aging Adults

Higher levels of two cytokines were associated with slower cognitive decline in aging adults, a new study reports.

This shows a bright red brain, implying inflammation

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·March 5, 2021·3 min read

A New Way to Halt Excessive Inflammation

The protein Arginase-2 works through mitochondria to reduce inflammation. The findings could lead to new treatments for diseases associated with neuroinflammation, including multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

This is a before and after image of the mouse

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·January 15, 2021·3 min read

Designer Cytokine Makes Paralyzed Mice Walk Again

Protein hyper-interleukin-6, a "designer protein" that has to be produced via genetic engineering, enabled a paralyzed mouse to walk again.

Featured Neurology

·October 13, 2020·4 min read

New Therapy Improves Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis

By fusing a cytokine to a blood protein, researchers have developed a new therapy to help treat multiple sclerosis.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·May 20, 2020·3 min read

COVID-19 cytokine storm: Possible mechanism for the deadly respiratory syndrome

SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, enters human cells by attaching to ACE2 and utilizing TMPRSS2. Drugs that block ACE2 or inhibit the enzyme could help treat the coronavirus, but only during early infection. As the infection progresses, SARS-CoV-2 becomes engulfed in human cells, reducing the number of ACE2 receptors on a cell and leading to an increase of angiotensin II in the blood. Angiotensin II triggers an inflammatory pathway, providing a positive feedback cycle, named IL-6 amplifier, resulting in excessive immune activation and the cytokine storm associated with severe COVID-19.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 29, 2020·5 min read

How could Covid-19 and the body’s immune response affect the brain?

Mounting evidence suggests coronavirus affects the brain, in addition to the lungs. Researchers are examining the threat COVID-19 posses to long term brain health. They speculate maternal inflammation could lead to an increased risk of autism-like behaviors and neurodevelopment deficits in children born to mothers diagnosed with coronavirus. Other studies are exploring how the virus may spread in the nervous system via synaptic transmission.

This shows the outline of a head and brain

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·August 29, 2019·3 min read

The ‘inflammation’ of opioid use: Research correlates inflammation in the brain and gut to negative emotional state during opioid withdrawal

Inflammation caused by opioid use to both the brain and gut may exacerbate symptoms of negative emotions associated with withdrawal. Targeting the inflammation could help alleviate the negative experiences of opioid withdrawal and prevent dependence.

This shows a depressed looking person sitting on some steps

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Psychology

·August 18, 2019·3 min read

Immune system and mental health are connected

Researchers explore the link between the immune system and mental health disorders. Cytokines appear to play a critical role in the development and progression of mental illness. They question if administering prednisolone, a steroid that curbs inflammation, can have a beneficial effect on treating and preventing mental health problems.