Millions of years ago, human ancestors have a specific gene – but switching this gene can help protect people from gout, as a new experimental study indicates.
Gout It is a type of arthritis that causes sudden pain and swelling in the joints. This happens when there is a lot of uric acid in the blood, which can form severe crystals in the joints, which leads to painful inflammation. Painful attacks can come quickly and may last for several days or weeks.
While there are many medications that were developed to manage high uric acid levels, many have seen either Limited success or great disadvantagesIncluding side effects such as harmful immune responses.
But in a study published on July 18 in the magazine Scientific reportsThe researchers have developed a possible new way to reduce uric acid: They have recovered the function of genes that humans have lost millions of years ago with the help of Crisper Genetics liberation.
“Human cells still know what to do with this protein” made by the lost gene, a study study in the study Eric GachirA genetic scientist at Georgia State University told Live Science. Post -PhD Researcher at the Gaucher Lab. Less de Lima BarcaThe second author was in the study.
Until now, researchers discovered the idea only in laboratory studies with human cells, but they say that their results indicate that genetic therapy can one day be an applicable option for patients with gout.
While gout Somewhat The situation that affects 1 in every 25 people all over the world, Very rare in mammals Unlike the main. This is because other animals have an active gene for an enzyme called uricas, which collapses uric acid in the blood and thus prevents the formation of crystals. However, due to a number of mutations captured on our evolutionary history, the human enzyme in humans cannot treat uric acid. Some researchers believe that this has happened because increasing the levels of uric acid can convert fruit sugar into fat, Helping the main women to survive winter More brains grow.
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The researchers were It was previously identified What are the old genes that may be responsible for the production of Uricase by The conclusion of the ancestral genes. This means knowing the shape of the genes of ancient organisms by studying the DNA of living species today. Scientists compare animal genes or different people, use computer software to build family trees, and then they are guessing educated about the sequence of old genes. Once they have a good idea of the shape of these old genes, they can re -create and “revive” the old proteins that genes coded in the laboratory and may open the door to new treatments.
In the new study, the researchers used the editing of Krisper genes to include the old uer -center gene into human genre Spherical liver. The spherical similarities are 3D models of tissue planted with the laboratory that mimics the complex organs of the full size in the body. The insertion of the old gene has led to a decrease in uric acid, as well as a decrease in the accumulation of fats related to fruits.
There are gout treatments that are used to manage high levels of uric acid; For example, treatment Krystexxa The injection of urethors is made using a mixture of pig gene and door sequence. However, these protein -based treatments are often raised Strong immune responses Clinical monitoring requires the risk of allergies.
On the contrary, the genetic therapy that restores the old human genes can enable the body cells to produce ulores. In theory, immune reactions can be reduced because much of the uricase sequence is already recognized and accepted by the human body.
But the researchers have a long way before such genetic therapy is used in human patients. For the following steps, they are transmitted from liver spherical to laboratory mice, and they use nanoparticles connecting systems that offer CRISPR genes directly in liver cells.
The researchers say that such genetic therapy has the ability to transform gout by providing a long -term and possibly more safe alternative to current treatments. However, genetics remedies are still like this in the early stages of development.
The researchers hope that this approach – the followers and adaptation of old genes of modern treatments – will be applied on a larger scale in the future.
“My final goal is to be able to marry molecular development and clinical medicine.” “Ideally, we can use old proteins or old enzymes to develop treatments to help modern society.”
This article is for media purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice.