Blocking key signaling chemical in the immune system stalls chronic inflammation, insulin resistance tied to obesity
Tuesday, March 4, 2014 - 08:01
in Health & Medicine
Blocking the action of a key signaling molecule in the immune system known as Netrin-1 stalls chronic inflammation and insulin resistance tied to obesity and often derived from fatty diets, new research shows. Among the study's key findings was that inflammatory macrophage buildup is controlled by Netrin-1, which not only attracts more macrophages into fat tissue, but also prevents macrophages from carrying away pathogens and unwanted fat cells as the immune cells would normally do. Uncontrolled inflammation is known to damage arteries and vital organs.