UCL Scientists Find Natural "Off Switch" for Inflammation

Scientists at University College London just uncovered how our bodies know when to stop fighting and start healing. This discovery could transform treatment for chronic diseases that affect millions worldwide.

Inflammation works like an emergency response team rushing to fight infection or injury. But when this response refuses to shut down, it becomes the enemy, driving conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, and diabetes.

The UCL team discovered that tiny fat molecules called epoxy-oxylipins act as natural brakes on the immune system. These molecules stop certain immune cells from multiplying out of control and causing the chronic inflammation linked to serious diseases.

To test their theory, researchers gave 48 healthy volunteers a harmless injection that triggered temporary inflammation in their forearms. Half received a drug called GSK2256294 before or after inflammation started, while the other half got a placebo.

The results surprised even the researchers. Volunteers who received the drug experienced faster pain relief and showed dramatically fewer of the troublesome immune cells in their blood and tissue.

The drug works by protecting epoxy-oxylipins from breaking down too quickly, giving these natural molecules more time to calm the immune response. Remarkably, it achieved this without suppressing the entire immune system or completely eliminating visible swelling.

Dr. Olivia Bracken, who led the study published in Nature Communications, explained that this approach could lead to safer treatments. "We could restore immune balance without suppressing overall immunity," she said.

The Ripple Effect

This discovery matters beyond the lab because it uses a drug already proven safe for humans. Clinical trials could begin soon for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, where the immune system attacks joint tissue and causes debilitating pain.

Professor Derek Gilroy emphasized the human relevance of their work. "We used a drug already suitable for human use, one that could be repurposed to treat flares in chronic inflammatory conditions," he noted.

Dr. Caroline Aylott from Arthritis UK highlighted why this research brings hope to people living with chronic pain. Arthritis pain affects movement, sleep, mood, and the ability to spend time with loved ones.

The research team plans to explore whether these drugs could prevent or slow joint damage in arthritis patients when used alongside existing medications. The potential extends to cardiovascular disease and other inflammation-driven conditions that currently lack effective therapies.

For people battling chronic inflammatory diseases, this natural pathway offers something rare: a treatment that works with the body instead of against it.