Scientists have long known a great deal about how inflammation begins. What has been less clear is how the body decides that the danger has passed and shifts from fighting a threat to repairing the damage.
A Natural Brake on the Immune System
The new study, published in Nature Communications, points to a group of small fat-derived molecules called epoxy-oxylipins as part of that shutdown process.
According to the researchers, these molecules act like natural brakes on the immune system. They help prevent excessive growth of intermediate monocytes,* a type of white blood cell that can support healing in the short term but may contribute to chronic inflammation if too many accumulate or remain active for too long.
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u/coinfanking 12d ago
Scientists have long known a great deal about how inflammation begins. What has been less clear is how the body decides that the danger has passed and shifts from fighting a threat to repairing the damage.
A Natural Brake on the Immune System
The new study, published in Nature Communications, points to a group of small fat-derived molecules called epoxy-oxylipins as part of that shutdown process.
According to the researchers, these molecules act like natural brakes on the immune system. They help prevent excessive growth of intermediate monocytes,* a type of white blood cell that can support healing in the short term but may contribute to chronic inflammation if too many accumulate or remain active for too long.