Can protein cause… back pain?!… in rats?!
This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science.
When we get hurt, our bodies send tiny proteins to kickstart healing. But sometimes, they work against us! How?!
Protein C-D forty seven helps cells hide from the immune system, making inflammation worse. Scott Myers and team at the University of Louisville wondered what happens when you do without it.
So they removed it from mice! Not only did blood flow improve, but fewer inflammatory cells were recruited to the spine! These mice showed improved recuperation and less inflammation… no ice pack needed!
If we can hide C-D forty seven, we could speed up recovery from back injuries!
And that should be enough to get you back in the rat race!
Reference: Myers SA, DeVries WH, Andres KR, Gruenthal MJ, Benton RL, Hoying JB, Hagg T, Whittemore SR. CD47 knockout mice exhibit improved recovery from spinal cord injury. Neurobiol Dis. 2011 Apr;42(1):21-34. doi: 10.1016/j.nbd.2010.12.010.