Finding proteins with new therapeutic potential for asthma patients

Scientists have discovered a new protein responsible for controlling airway narrowing in asthma.

A group of researchers at the University of Leicester, UK, identified a key protein involved in narrowing the airways in patients with severe asthma. Since then there is a favorable scientific premise to treat asthma in a better way.

Accordingly, the latest protein found to have the scientific name is HMGB1 , which appears a lot in the body of patients with severe asthma , and it plays a dominant role in narrowing the airways in patients with asthma.

To reach this conclusion, the team examined and tested mucus in the trachea of ​​mild to severe asthma patients as well as those of some normal people at Glenfield University of Leicester.

The results showed that HMGB1 protein appears much more in the windpipe of patients with asthma than with normal people.

' We found that the amount of protein HMGB1 in patients with asthma often causes inflammation of damaged cells, increased airway mucus causing narrowing of the airways, especially in patients with severe asthma ' - Dr. Ruth Saunders, a professor at the University of Leicester said in a statement.

'To our knowledge, this is the first study to show a direct effect of the HMGB1 protein on the airway respiratory system in patients with asthma. This will help us take a step closer to treating future asthma '.

In the face of current asthma medications, it is completely impossible to cure 100% of asthma. So, this study means that we will change the drug-producing therapy to target this protein, help improve asthma without leaving many allergies or side effects. - Saunders said.

This research has just been published in the Journal of Clinical Allergy and Immunology.