Posted by Hugh on June 22, 2020, at 0:52:44
In reply to Brain's Opioid System Linked to Depression/Anxiety, posted by Hugh on June 21, 2020, at 15:46:31
Researchers at the Department of Infection and Immunity of the Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH) have developed a novel molecule that binds to and blocks a previously unrecognized opioid receptor in the brain. The team's studies showed that using the molecule, LIH383, to block this atypical opioid receptor, which is known as ACKR3, increases the availability of opioid peptides produced in the central nervous system (CNS) to bind to classical opioid receptors, effectively increasing their natural painkilling and antidepressant properties. The research could point to the development of a novel class of drugs for treating pain, depression, and also brain cancer.
"As an ACKR3 modulator that interacts and 'interferes' with ACKR3, LIH383 therefore also holds promise for the treatment of metastatic cancers, leveraging on our remarkable discovery of the dual chemokine-opioid 'scavenging' activity of this receptor," stated Chevigné. "We expect LIH383 to act as a precursor for the development of a new class of drugs against pain and depression, thus offering an innovative and original therapeutic strategy to tackle the opioid crisis."
"This is a glaring example of the way fundamental research can be translated into concrete applications with tangible benefits for patients, leading to improved clinical outcomes," commented Markus Ollert, PhD, director of the LIH Department of Infection and Immunity and co-author of the study. A patent application covering the team's developments was filed in April 2020.
Complete article:
poster:Hugh
thread:1110917
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20200511/msgs/1110931.html