Main > IMMUNOLOGY > ImmunoSuppression > Sphingosine-1-PO4 Lyase Inhibitors > Org.: USA. U. (Study) > Study Description

---

Food colorant curbs immune response

A new study revealing how a caramel food-coloring agent modulates the body s ability to defend itself against infection may aid the search for new immunosuppressive drugs. Main Author, describe how 2-acetyl-4-tetrahydroxybutylimidazole (shown) blocks the migration of white blood cells from lymph nodes to the lymph and the blood, where they are needed to fight infection. Author show that this food colorant interferes with metabolism of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), a signaling lipid whose levels regulate white blood cell migration. By inhibiting S1P lyase, the enzyme charged with degrading S1P, the food colorant causes S1P to build up, thereby blocking migration of white blood cells from the lymph nodes and suppressing the body s immune response. The dosage of the food colorant required to elicit this effect is much higher than is typically ingested, Author notes. But the finding suggests that S1P lyase is a promising target for the design of selective immunosuppressive agents, he says.




Study Description's products
This section has no products