New target could help to reduce symptoms of asthma attacks, research shows
- Date:
- March 8, 2016
- Source:
- University of Leicester
- Summary:
- The role of a receptor in the body that could help to prevent or reduce the effects of asthma attacks has been examined by an international team of researchers. The team examined the role in the body of nociceptin, a peptide that activates the nociceptin receptor, better known for its association with pain processing.
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An international team of researchers from the Universities of Leicester and Naples has examined the role of a receptor in the body that could help to prevent or reduce the effects of asthma attacks.
In a new paper, published in the British Journal of Pharmacology, the team examined the role in the body of nociceptin, a peptide that activates the nociceptin receptor, better known for its association with pain processing.
In asthma there is a constriction of the airways and an increase in immune activation -- typically these are treated with a dilator (salbutamol) and a steroid (to reduce immune response).
The study identified that nociceptin has substantial activity in asthma models given before or during an asthma attack -- and that a single molecule reduces both the immune response and causes dilation.
It is hoped through the observation that scientists can demonstrate effects before or during asthma that the discovery could help to prevent or reduce established asthma attacks in people suffering from the disease.
Professor David Lambert, Professor of Anaesthetic Pharmacology from the University of Leicester's Department of Cardiovascular Sciences and Leicester's Hospitals said: "I have been working on the pain related and immune modulatory actions of nociceptin for many years and it is really exciting to see this translated into a further therapeutic arena; the devastating airways disease of asthma."
Professor Chris Brightling, NIHR Senior Investigator and Honorary Consultant from the University of Leicester's Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation and Leicester's Hospitals added: "In spite of good treatments for asthma many people with asthma still have ongoing symptoms and frequent attacks. This exciting research presents an entirely new approach for asthma that needs to be tested in clinical trials."
Professor Bruno D'Agostino from the University of Naples said: "For many years, my research group has been working on the role of nociceptin in the regulation of airway responsiveness in animal models, and it is very interesting translating our results into clinic area regarding asthma, a disease that is forecast to grow over the next years."
Story Source:
Materials provided by University of Leicester. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
- Shailendra R Singh, Nikol Sullo, Maria Matteis, Giuseppe Spaziano, John McDonald, Ruth Saunders, Lucy Woodman, Konrad Urbanek, Antonella De Angelis, Raffaele De Palma, Rachid Berair, Mitesh Pancholi, Vijay Mistry, Francesco Rossi, Remo Guerrini, Girolamo Calò, Bruno D'Agostino, Christopher E Brightling, David G Lambert. Nociceptin/OrphaninFQ (N/OFQ) modulates immunopathology and airway hyperresponsiveness representing a novel target for the treatment of asthma. British Journal of Pharmacology, 2016; DOI: 10.1111/bph.13416
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