- Fibrotic diseases make extra scar tissue.
- They can harm organs and skin.
- They often lower quality of life.
- Fibrosis causes about 45% of deaths in developed nations.
- Yale researchers studied a molecule called epiregulin.
- An antibody can block epiregulin and EGFR.
- They tested the antibody in mice and biopsies.
- Blocking epiregulin reduced signs of fibrosis.
- They found the protein STAT1 helps fibrosis start.
Difficult words
- research — the study of a subject to find new information.Researchers
- disease — an illness that affects a person's health.diseases
- scarring — the marks left on the body after healing.
- antibody — a substance made by the body to fight illness.
- treatment — the care given to improve health.treatments
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- What do you think about new treatments for diseases?
- How do you feel about research in medicine?
- Why is it important to study diseases?
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