Surrey and Oxford Universities Break New Ground in Protein Research

Researchers from the universities of Surrey and Oxford have identified a previously unknown interaction between two proteins that could lead to new treatments for inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and cardiovascular conditions.

The team discovered that inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) binds directly to another protein called IRG1, which prevents IRG1 from producing itaconate, a metabolite that naturally acts as a brake on the body’s inflammatory response.

By blocking this interaction, the researchers suggest it may be possible to develop therapies that restore the body’s natural ability to control inflammation, rather than broadly suppressing the immune system.

Dr Mark Crabtree, head of clinical sciences discipline and senior lecturer in cardiovascular biochemistry at one of the universities, described the physical interface between iNOS and IRG1 as a precise potential drug target.

Rather than dampening the immune response across the board, you could design something that disrupts just this interaction, freeing up the natural mechanisms that keep inflammation in check.

Dr Mark Crabtree

The research, funded by the British Heart Foundation, builds on the understanding that while inflammation is a protective mechanism used by the immune system during illness or injury, uncontrolled inflammation contributes to chronic diseases.

Itaconate, the molecule whose production is inhibited by the iNOS-IRG1 interaction, has been identified in previous studies as playing a role in regulating immune responses and reducing inflammation.

The discovery provides a specific molecular target for future drug development aimed at treating conditions where inflammation is dysregulated, offering a potential alternative to current broad-spectrum anti-inflammatory treatments.

Although the findings are based on laboratory research, the scientists believe the identification of this protein interaction opens a clear pathway for designing precise interventions that could improve treatment outcomes for patients with inflammatory diseases.