Scripps Research Develops New Molecules for Autoimmune Disease Treatment
Scripps Research scientists have developed a new class of drug compounds called ENDOtollins, which aim to treat autoimmune diseases by reducing harmful inflammation without compromising the body's infection-fighting capabilities. These compounds work by disrupting a specific interaction between two proteins within immune cells, a process described as a 'molecular handshake.' The research, published in Nature Chemical Biology, suggests that these compounds could offer more precise treatment options for conditions like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and juvenile arthritis, which affect over 15 million Americans. The study highlights the potential of ENDOtollins to target inflammation pathways specifically, avoiding the broad suppression of the immune system that current treatments often entail.