As we advance in our knowledge, it will be increasingly apparent that new biomarkers of disease will be defined for a variety of diseases. The increasing role of Cytokine and growth factors will be recognised. Indeed the inclusion of Obesity as a disease state can only be ascertain only because it is accompnied by abnornal level of Cytokins, growth factor and a number of Metabolic protein capable of inducing a disease state.
We also know that not all Cytokines are equal. Inhibition at the receptor of these specific receptor will be increasingly a way to address specific increase of these Cytokine. This fight had already started in Asthma where Interleukins 4, and 13
"Pitrakinra (Aerovant) is a human recombinant protein. It is an IL-4 and IL-13 antagonist in phase IIa studies for asthma. Its mechanism of action is by interruption of the Th2 lymphocyte immune response that underlies the inflammatory hyperresponsiveness in the airway epithelium of asthmatics.
Asthma results from a dysregulated, hyperresponsive immune response in the airways. Some immune cells in allergic
asthmatics respond aggressively to foreign allergens with the release
of IL-4 and -13, two key mediators that initiate a cycle of inflammation
in the lung. Aerovant is an IL4Ra receptor antagonist that blocks the
inflammatory effects of interleukins-4 and -13 (IL-4 and IL-13), thereby
promoting a more balanced immune response." wikipedia
A cautious note though, IL 4 has been noted by some to be a good guy! IL-4 may be protective, so go easy. If you decrease it much, the ratio may break the balance (we are still looking into this!).
Aging is full of deleterious Cytokines, we believe a balance should be carefully maintain....Caution, just because it is increased does not means it is bad, homeostasis sometime require elevated protection or "protective Cytokines". Let's be discriminatory when it comes to Cytokines...the interferon story support our cautionary tale!
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