Scientists at the University of Edinburgh have discovered that cyclin dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors can treat inflammation by inducing apotosis (programmed cell death) in neutrophils, a process that plays a key role in the resolution of the anti-inflammatory response.
The ongoing research has shown that as well as promoting apoptosis, small molecule CDK inhibitors such as R-roscovitine can counterbalance the presence of other factors such as that normally promote the survival of neutrophils.
The approach has been demonstrated in several models of established neutrophil mediated inflammation, including arthritis and pleurisy.
Small drug CDK inhibitors have already shown a good safety profile in clinical trials in other disease areas. Use patents in inflammatory diseases have been applied for and the university is now seeking industrial partners to license or fund development of this technology.
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