A new BEACON of hope for the treatment of inflammation? The endogenous metabolite itaconate as an alternative activator of the KEAP1-Nrf2 system

Intermediary metabolites are involved in maintaining organ homeostasis, and their signaling functions play important roles in the regulation of immunity. The endogenous metabolite itaconate was first identified as a product of citric acid distillation in 1836 and has been used extensively in the polymer industry for many years, but scientists only recently uncovered its function as a modulator of mammalian immunity through anti-inflammatory activity in activated macrophages.1 In a study published in Nature, Mills and colleagues2 furthered our understanding of the biological effect of itaconate (Figure  1), demonstrating that it serves as an alternative activator of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2).
Source: Kidney International - Category: Urology & Nephrology Authors: Tags: Nephrology Digest Source Type: research