A new study from the University of Barcelona has discovered that a protein called Polμ plays a crucial role in post-inflammatory tissue repair. The findings have been published in the journal Cell Reports.

Inflammation is the body's natural defense response to wounds or infections. During this process, immune cells called macrophages are responsible for clearing pathogens, but they also produce large amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These molecules, while killing pathogens, also damage the macrophages' own DNA. If macrophages die as a result, the repair process cannot be completed.

The research team discovered that the Polμ protein can protect macrophages and enable them to survive in harsh inflammatory environments, thus successfully initiating and completing tissue repair. Without this protein, both phases of the inflammatory response (pathogen clearance and damage repair) are compromised.

Researchers point out that a deficiency of the Polμ protein may be a potential cause of certain autoinflammatory diseases. These diseases continuously activate the immune system, leading to chronic tissue damage. Furthermore, this discovery provides a new approach to treating septic shock—inhibiting Polμ activity may reduce excessive macrophage response and improve patient survival rates.

This study used animal models of skin inflammation and muscle damage and was conducted jointly by the University of Barcelona and the National Center for Biotechnology.

Source: University of Barcelona