U.S. finds molecular "switch" to treat necrotised enteritis

necrotised enteritis (NEC) has been one of the leading causes of death in premature babiesA team of researcherstheChildren'sHospital at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center has found a molecular "switch" that can reverse theof thedisease, the Daily Science Network reported on December 4Necrotizing enteritis is a severe inflammation of the intestine, which is about 5% of the incidence in premature babies, and 50% of children are likely to die as a resultWith the increase of survival rate of premature babies, the incidence of necrotised enteritis is also on the riseThrough animal experiments, DrJHancombe of theof the Children'sHospital in Pittsburghfound that tissue damage caused by necrotised enteritis can be repaired when the Toll-like receptor 4 is stopped in animalsToll-like receptors are an autodefensive mechanism that usually stimulates the intestinal immune responseBut in some premature babies, toxins from immature lungs, as well as lack of oxygen, can stimulate excessive secretion of TLR4, which can lead to cell death and blocked repair of intestinal epithelial cells, which can eventually lead to intestinal failure By interfering with another molecule secreted at the same time as TLR4——— locally glued plaquekinase (FAK), the researchers were able to suppress the immune alerts that TLR4 issues to intestinal cells, Hancombe said It is reported that Dr Hancombe's research team is continuing to study how to control FAK secretion to improve treatment options, according to which new oral agents may be produced