Development of new anti-inflammatory drugs

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Research unit

INNOSUISSE

Project number

7959.1;5 DCPP-LS

Project title

Development of new anti-inflammatory drugs

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Short description (English)	Development of new anti-inflammatory drugs
Abstract (English)	IL-1b is a strong pro-inflammatory cytokine. It is synthesized as an inactive precursor molecule (proIL-1b), and in order to be active, proIL-1b must first be processed by caspase-1. Until recently, information on proteins regulating activation of caspase-1 was lacking. We recently identified a family of intracellular proteins that forms a complex with caspase-1 (inflammasome), resulting in its activation and thus in the triggering of inflammation. The importance of the inflammasome is highlighted by the fact that mutations in the NALP3 gene ( a constituent of the inflammasome) are associated with auto-inflammatory diseases. We propose to study the mechanism of inflammasome assembly and to unravel the function of the individual components. Efforts will be made to develop inhibitors that interfere with inflammasome activation. This project should shed light on our understanding of inflammatory diseases and ultimately lead to the development of novel therapeutics.

Category

Text

Short description
(English)

Development of new anti-inflammatory drugs

Abstract
(English)

IL-1b is a strong pro-inflammatory cytokine. It is synthesized as an inactive precursor molecule (proIL-1b), and in order to be active, proIL-1b must first be processed by caspase-1. Until recently, information on proteins regulating activation of caspase-1 was lacking. We recently identified a family of intracellular proteins that forms a complex with caspase-1 (inflammasome), resulting in its activation and thus in the triggering of inflammation. The importance of the inflammasome is highlighted by the fact that mutations in the NALP3 gene ( a constituent of the inflammasome) are associated with auto-inflammatory diseases. We propose to study the mechanism of inflammasome assembly and to unravel the function of the individual components. Efforts will be made to develop inhibitors that interfere with inflammasome activation. This project should shed light on our understanding of inflammatory diseases and ultimately lead to the development of novel therapeutics.