Unlocking the Secret of Molecular Kinase P38 to Prevent Cytokine Storms
A recent study has uncovered a new potential therapeutic target to help combat the deadly cytokine storm that can occur in some severe COVID-19 cases. The research team has identified a molecule known as p38 kinase as a promising target for the development of treatments. When p38 kinase is activated, it leads to the production of a cytokine storm, which is an overproduction of inflammatory cytokines that can cause devastating damage to the body. In laboratory tests, the researchers used a p38 kinase inhibitor to reduce the cytokine storm and improve the survival rate of cells infected with the virus. The findings suggest that a drug targeting p38 kinase could be a potential treatment for patients suffering from severe COVID-19. The team plans to continue their research in animal models to further investigate the efficacy of this therapeutic approach.
source: Phys.org