Targeting the proteins that trigger inflammation

Inflammation is a culprit in many a disease. And, often, immune flareups are triggered by NLRP3 — a protein that is now being carefully studied for its probable role in a rather long list of diseases. Several companies are interested in developing NLRP3 inhibitors, C&EN reports — but it’s difficult to know where to begin. The molecule plays such a critical role in the inflammatory response that it’s hard to gauge what impact blocking it will have on the human body. Will it be a magic bullet, or have disastrous effects? Too early to tell. But researchers are excited:

“A bunch of the top killers in the Western world are all associated with NLRP3 activation,” one NLRP3 scientist told C&EN. “So if you can take some kind of once-a-day pill and help prevent yourself from getting Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, and chronic liver disease, and if there are no side effects, then why wouldn’t you?”