By University of Oxford – Genengnews.com
Scientists at Mount Sinai say they have published one of the first studies to demonstrate the importance of reactive oxygen species in maintaining stem cell function and preventing inflammation during wound repair. The team believes its findings could provide greater insights into the prevention and treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). The researchers published their study (“NOX1 is essential for TNFαlpha-induced intestinal epithelial ROS secretion and inhibits M cell signatures”) in Gut.
Reactive oxygen species are highly reactive chemicals formed from oxygen. They serve as prime signals of cellular dysfunction that contribute to diseases. Secretion of reactive oxygen species in the intestine is necessary for maintaining stem cell function and important for wound repair. However, it can cause inflammatory effects as well.