Huang explained how this was, at first, a confusing result, as it went against all other research on the topic, but he decided to persevere and take a closer look at what could be occurring. The researchers found that treatment with PEP can inhibit the maturation of TH17 cells, leading to resolution of inflammatory response. Since it is part of such an important process, PEP is generated every day in our bodies. This chemical compound is a metabolite produced when glucose is converted to energy. “So, we hypothesized that molecules produced during glycolysis may inhibit the cells.”Įnter phosphoenolpyruvate, or PEP for short. Tsung-Yen Huang, a PhD candidate in the Immune Signal Unit. “What’s interesting in that excessive glycolysis seems to suppress Th17 cell activity,” stated first author, Mr. Glycolysis is essential for the growth of not only Th17 cells but also a variety of cells in our body. The generation of Th17 cells requires glycolysis, a metabolic process in which glucose is broken down and converted to energy to support the metabolic needs of cells. These cells, which exist in high numbers in our guts, evolved to help us fight invasive pathogens but, sometimes, they’re overactivated and mistake normal, healthy tissue as pathogens, resulting in autoimmunity. Th17 cells are a type of T cell-a group of cells, which form major parts of the immune system. The research focused on T helper 17 cells, or Th17 cells. Ishikawa went on to explain that this research, published in Cell Reports, could lead to the development of treatments for autoimmune diseases. “Now, our recent research has shed light on a compound that could suppress the development of these diseases.” Hiroki Ishikawa, who leads the Immune Signal Unit at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST). “The key to the development of autoimmune diseases, and thus the way to inhibit this development, lies in our cells, but the underlying mechanism has always been unclear,” stated Prof. For the millions of people who suffer from autoimmune diseases worldwide, the result can be debilitating-rheumatoid arthritis causes excessive joint pain, while multiple sclerosis can disable one’s brain and spinal cord function. The immune system, which normally attacks pathogens and infections, instead attacks healthy cells and tissues. These diseases occur when the body’s immune response goes wiry. Scientists in Japan have revealed a chemical compound that could be used for the treatment of various autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.
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