Scientists find a new way to reduce anemia

The researchers found that the immune signal transduction molecule interleukin-22 (IL-22) can inhibit the production of red blood cells, which in turn makes mice suffer from anemia.

Exposure to heavy metals such as radiation, pesticides, lead or mercury in the environment can increase the risk of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

Researchers at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Massachusetts, USA, have recently identified a stress-inducing feature that can reduce red blood cells in mice with abnormal expression of Riok2.

The human body's Riok2 gene is encoded by a region on chromosome 5, and 10% to 15% of MDS patients have this coding region missing.

The researchers found that the decrease in Riok2 expression increases the expression of the immune signal transduction molecule IL-22.

In a cohort of MDS human patients with mutations in chromosome 5 and another cohort of human patients with anemia and chronic kidney disease, the researchers also observed increased levels of IL-22, which indicates that IL-22 may be used as these diseases.

Experts believe that although further research is still needed, targeting the IL-22 signal transduction pathway may help reduce stress-induced anemia in human patients.

Related paper information: org/10.