Grant: Project Grant

Inflammation and fibrosis, which involve tissue damage and scarring, are regulated by a protein called Oncostatin M (OSM). OSM, part of a larger family of proteins called cytokines, sends signals through two different receptor groups: one that reduces inflammation and another that can cause harmful inflammation. Because OSM can send such different signals, it has been challenging to use it directly as a treatment. Our research aims to understand how OSM works at a molecular level to create new therapies for inflammatory diseases and fibrosis. We will use a technique called cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM) to observe the detailed structures of OSM and how it interacts with its receptors. This will help us understand how OSM signals in both beneficial and harmful ways. We will study the structures of OSM with its receptors to understand how it can cause different effects in the body. Additionally, we will explore how certain drugs and antibodies that block OSM work, which can guide the development of new treatments. Finally, we will design new versions of OSM that only send beneficial signals, avoiding the harmful ones. This research will provide crucial insights into how OSM works and lead to innovative treatments for inflammation and fibrosis, potentially transforming care for patients with these conditions.