UT Arlington researchers have identified an enzyme, IDO1, that can be “turned off” to help the body maintain healthy cholesterol levels. This breakthrough could pave the way for new treatments for various inflammation-related diseases.
A team of scientists at The University of Texas at Arlington has made a groundbreaking discovery that could transform the way we manage cholesterol levels and treat a host of serious illnesses. The researchers have identified an enzyme called IDO1 that, when blocked, helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels and controls inflammation, a finding that has significant potential for developing new treatments for diseases affecting millions of Americans.
“We found that by blocking the enzyme IDO1, we are able to control the inflammation in immune cells called macrophages,” lead author Subhrangsu S. Mandal, a professor of chemistry at UT Arlington, said in a news release. “Inflammation is linked to so many conditions — everything from heart disease to cancer to diabetes to dementia. By better understanding IDO1 and how to block it, we have the potential to better control inflammation and restore proper cholesterol processing, stopping many of these diseases in their tracks.”
Inflammation is a double-edged sword for the immune system, essential for fighting infections and healing injuries, but potentially harmful when it becomes chronic or abnormal due to stress, injury or infection.
During these dysfunctional periods, macrophages — critical immune cells that absorb cholesterol — fail to process cholesterol properly, leading to a range of chronic diseases.
The research team discovered that the enzyme IDO1 is activated during inflammation, producing a substance called kynurenine. This substance hampers macrophages’ ability to process cholesterol.
However, when IDO1 is inhibited, macrophages regain their cholesterol-processing capabilities. This pivotal discovery points to a new strategy for preventing heart disease by keeping cholesterol levels under control.
Additionally, the study found that another enzyme, nitric oxide synthase (NOS), exacerbates IDO1’s detrimental effects. Therefore, targeting NOS might also offer therapeutic benefits for managing cholesterol issues related to inflammation.
“These findings are important because we know too much cholesterol buildup in macrophages can lead to clogged arteries, heart disease and a host of other illnesses,” Mandal added. “Understanding how to prevent the inflammation affecting cholesterol regulation could lead to new treatments for conditions like heart disease, diabetes, cancer and others.”
The team’s research, published in ACS Publications, represents a significant step toward more effective treatments for inflammation-related diseases.
Next, the researchers aim to delve deeper into the relationship between IDO1 and cholesterol regulation and explore the roles of other enzymes in the process. If a safe method of blocking IDO1 is developed, it could pave the way for innovative drugs to combat a variety of inflammatory diseases.