Inflammation is a catch-22: the body needs it to eliminate invasive organisms and foreign irritants, but excessive inflammation can harm healthy cells, contributing to aging and sometimes leading to organ failure and death. A study published in Cell, co-authored by Jorge Moscat, PhD, and Maria Diaz-Meco, PhD, professors in SBP’s NCI-designated Cancer Center, in collaboration with the laboratory of Michael Karin, PhD, at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, shows that a protein known as p62 acts as a molecular brake to keep inflammation in check and avoid collateral damage. Continue reading “Molecular “brake” prevents excessive inflammation”