Scientists in Leipzig identify new mechanisms for chronic inflammation and wound healing disorders
In everyday clinical practice, it has been observed that chronic inflammatory diseases like psoriasis occur earlier and more severely in overweight people. In addition, they are more difficult to treat in patients with obesity. Experts at Leipzig University Hospital therefore wanted to find out why chronic inflammatory diseases and chronic non-healing wounds occur more frequently in obese patients.
In a study recently published in the journal Theranostics, the scientists investigated how saturated fatty acids contribute to the increased occurrence of inflammation or disrupt wound healing. When the skin is inflamed or injured, danger molecules are released. “Our focus was on the danger molecule S100A9. S100A9, together with many saturated fatty acids, causes abnormal activation and differentiation of macrophages and ultimately leads to the fact that inflammatory reactions do not subside or skin injuries are not properly repaired,” explains study leader Dr Anja Saalbach, scientist and working group leader at the Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology at Leipzig University Hospital. Macrophages are important cells to initially fight infection. Later, they help inflammation to subside and the tissue to be repaired … read more