The role of cell death in inflammation and inflammation-related disorders

Inflammation is a hallmark of many diseases. Until recently, cell death was not thought to cause inflammation-associated diseases. Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) is a protein made in our body in response to stress and it induces aberrant cell death in mice who have a crucial component missing from the TNF signalling pathway. This cell death was the cause, not a consequence, of inflammatory disease in these mice. This also extends to other similar factors. 

We will test a new treatment paradigm where different factors that induce cell death are prevented in vivo and in vitro.

Our results may benefit people who have inflammation-associated diseases, possibly including those who do not benefit from TNF inhibition alone.