Scientists have discovered a new mechanism that can purify cells from faulty DNA. Its breakdown leads to increased inflammation during aging and rheumatoid arthritis. Authors of the study published in the journal Nature Cell BiologyHe believes that drugs that rearrange the functioning of this mechanism can stop inflammation in many diseases.
There are special cellular mechanisms to destroy damaged or foreign DNA molecules. Their activation can stimulate the immune response and its inflammatory reactions.
Special structures are responsible for the production of cellular energy – mitochondria, which have their own set of DNA. In a new study, scientists discovered details of the mechanism by which DNA is recycled in mitochondria. As it turned out, the DNA molecule first moves towards the mitochondrial wall in special “capsules” of endosomes, where it is marked as subject to destruction. Inflammatory responses typically used to rid the cell of pathogens such as viruses are then amplified.
If this mechanism is disrupted at any stage, excessive inflammasome activation as well as accumulation of “broken” or foreign DNA occurs. This is typical for many diseases associated with the human immune system’s attack on healthy cells. Increased inflammation also occurs with aging, leading to an increased risk of cancer, diabetes, dementia and severe atherosclerosis. Scientists believe that drugs that target this DNA recycling mechanism may have medical applications.
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