New Class of Compounds Stops Disease-Fueling Inflammation in Lab Tests

Scientists have developed a unique compound that in laboratory tests blocks inflammation-causing molecules in blood cells known to fuel ailments like cancer and cardiovascular disease without causing harmful toxicity.

Past attempts to identify new compounds that tamp down so-called reactive oxygen species (ROS) molecules in cells have been complicated by toxicity issues and a lack of specificity in targeting molecular processes. Researchers from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center report in Feb. 24 Chemistry & Biology (a Cell Press publication) they have overcome this problem.

MST played an important role to characterize the binding of the compound to its target and reveal its mode of action.

This illustration from the study in Chemistry & Biology shows how p67-phox binds with Rac GTPase, which is necessary to activate an enzyme complex that causes inflammation in blood cells. In lab experiments involving mouse and human cells, Phox-I small molecule inhibitors designed by scientists from Cincinnati Children’s safely block p67-phox/Rac GTPase binding and excess inflammation known to fuel cancer and other diseases. Chemistry & Biology is a Cell Press journal.

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Source: Cincinnati Children’s Hospital