Fibrotic diseases cause excessive scar tissue and can be life‑threatening. Yale researchers report two related findings that point to new treatments. In Blood they describe a human monoclonal antibody that targets epiregulin, a signaling molecule that binds EGFR. Earlier work had found higher epiregulin in skin from patients with scleroderma.
The team compared single-cell RNA sequencing from scleroderma and fibrotic graft‑versus‑host disease and confirmed upregulated epiregulin as a shared feature. They tested the antibody in humanized mouse models and in patient skin biopsies and found that inhibiting epiregulin reduced biomarkers associated with fibrosis.
In Nature Communications they show greater STAT1 activity in fibroblasts from fibrotic diseases. Mouse and cell experiments confirmed that STAT1 is required for fibrotic gene activation, and EGFR can activate STAT1 independently of JAKs. The researchers plan further tests in lupus and hidradenitis suppurativa.
Difficult words
- fibrosis — Thickening and scarring of tissue.fibrotic
- monoclonal — Made from identical immune cells.
- antibody — Protein that fights infections.
- scarring — Formation of scars on tissue.
- biomarkers — Indicators of a biological condition.
- STAT1 — A protein in cells that affects scarring.
- therapies — Treatments for medical conditions.
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 fibrotic diseases?
- How can research in this area benefit patients?
- Why is it important to understand the role of epiregulin?
Related articles
India's rice export ban prompts push for hybrid rice
India's ban on exports of non-basmati white rice aims to protect local supplies but has tightened global food stocks. Experts and some countries are turning to hybrid rice and investment in farming, while programmes in Asia and Africa expand.
Low-cost cooling could help Bangladesh garment workers
A University of Sydney study, published in The Lancet Planetary Health on Monday (20 October), tested simple low-cost cooling in a chamber that mimicked extreme factory heat. Fans and water partly restored productivity; a reflective roof cut indoor temperature by 2.5°C.
