Fight Aging! Newsletter, May 1st 2017

In this study we demonstrate the use of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-based epigenome editing to alter cell response to inflammatory environments by repressing inflammatory cytokine cell receptors, specifically TNFR1 and IL1R1. This has applications for many inflammatory-driven diseases. It could be applied for arthritis or to therapeutic cells that are being delivered to inflammatory environments that need to be protected from inflammation."

In chronic back pain, for example, slipped or herniated discs are a result of damaged tissue when inflammation causes cells to create molecules that break down tissue. Typically, inflammation is nature's way of alerting the immune system to repair tissue or tackle infection. But chronic inflammation can instead lead to tissue degeneration and pain. The team is using the CRISPR system - new technology of modifying human genetics - to stop cell death and keep the cells from producing molecules that damage tissue and result in chronic pain. But it doesn't do this by editing or replacing genes, which is what CRISPR tools are typically used for. Instead, it modulates the way genes turn on and off in order to protect cells from inflammation and thus breaking down tissue. "So they won't respond to inflammation. It disrupts this chronic inflammation pattern that leads to tissue degeneration and pain. We're not changing what is in your genetic code. We're altering what is expressed. Normally, cells do t...

Source: Fight Aging! - April 30, 2017 Category: Research Authors: Reason Tags: Newsletters Source Type: blogs