Fibrotic diseases cause harmful scar tissue in skin and organs. Researchers at Yale made a human monoclonal antibody that targets epiregulin, a molecule that binds the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Earlier work showed epiregulin was higher in skin from people with scleroderma.
The team compared single-cell RNA data from scleroderma and fibrotic graft-versus-host disease and found epiregulin was upregulated. They tested the antibody in humanized mice and in patient skin biopsies. Inhibiting epiregulin reduced biomarkers linked to fibrosis. A separate study showed more STAT1 activity in fibroblasts from fibrotic diseases. The researchers plan to test the therapy in lupus and hidradenitis suppurativa.
Difficult words
- researcher — A person who studies something carefully.Researchers
- treat — To help someone become healthy or better.treating
- disease — An illness that affects the body.diseases
- therapy — A treatment to help someone feel better.
- molecule — A very small part of a substance.
- scarring — The marks left on skin after an injury.
- fibrosis — A condition where thick tissue forms in the body.
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 the importance of research in medicine?
- How might antibody therapy change treatments for diseases?
- Why is it important to develop better treatments for fibrotic diseases?
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