Targeting the inflammasome
Professor Tom Gillingwater and Dr Helena Chaytow, The University of Edinburgh
Catalyst Award
Validate therapeutic targets
June 2025 - December 2026
£112,75.01
Summary
Inflammation is the body’s protective response to injury or illness. In the nervous system, alongside neurons, there are immune cells called microglia, which help support neurons by secreting chemicals that help the nervous system respond to disease or injury. These powerful chemicals, called cytokines, can stimulate other microglia to produce more cytokines, which can then go on to affect other cells and change how neurons communicate with each other.
In MND, these actions from microglia that are normally supportive, turn to attack the neurons, contributing to disease progression. This activation of microglia is sometimes called neuroinflammation and a lot of work from cell and animal models has indicated that MND progression could be slowed if there was less inflammation.
Through the use of a mouse model that mimics MND symptoms, Dr Chaytow is investigating the pathway that produces cytokines, called the “inflammasome” pathway, with the aim of finding ways to block it. If successful, this could reduce levels of cytokines released by microglia, preventing them from attacking neurons in MND, and reducing neuron damage and death.
Why this research is important
By looking at ways to block this cytokine producing pathway, this project could identify new therapeutic targets and develop new treatments that could benefit a large number of people living with MND.
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