TCD Scientists’ New Findings Show Complex Process that Controls the Inflammatory Response During Infection

Posted on: 07 December 2009

Scientists at Trinity College Dublin have made an important discovery which reveals a complex process that controls the inflammatory response during infection.  A molecule called MicroRNA-21 releases a key anti-inflammatory protein called Interleukin-10, thereby regulating inflammation triggered by bacterial infection.

The research was carried out by Fred Sheedy, a graduate student working with Professor of Biochemistry,  Luke O’Neill, at TCD’s School of Biochemistry  and Immunology and  has been just published in the world  leading immunology journal, Nature Immunology. The research was funded by Science Foundation Ireland.

MicroRNAs are small stretches of RNA which are very important for the correct functioning  of every cell in the body.  They are important regulators of the immune system and work on them is leading to important new insights into disease processes that involve the immune system, such as septic shock during infection, inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis.

Commenting on the significance of the findings, Professor O’Neill stated: “MicroRNAs are emerging as important regulators of many biological processes and we have uncovered what appears to be a key one that regulates inflammation”.

MicroRNA -21 has been implicated in inflammatory diseases such as ulcerative colitis, and is also dysregulated  in a range of cancers, which are linked to inflammation.

“The finding may have implications for a range of diseases, and increases our understanding of the complex processes that regulate inflammation,” added Professor O’Neill.  The work was carried out in collaboration with researchers at the Coombe Hospital and the University of Pennsylvania.