'Bad' Protein Linked to Numerous Health Problems

nbahi15 writes "A report in the July 13th edition of the online Journal of Clinical Investigation has linked the aP2 protein to asthma and several other diseases. It also suggests a connection between the metabolic and immune systems and these diseases." From a related Forbes article: "To study the effects of aP2, the researchers created genetically engineered mice that could not produce the protein. 'They're metabolic supermice,' Hotamisligil said. 'We cannot make them obese, diabetic or atherosclerotic. They don't develop fatty liver disease, and they don't develop asthma.' In mice with an animal model of asthma, the researchers found that aP2 regulated the infiltration of inflammatory molecules into the lungs."

Comments

Bad aP2Ps.

[m_chan]

Great. Kazaa just gave me asthma. Well, let's just get the MPAA and the RIAA to file some lawsuits against these bad aP2Ps. That'll fix their wagon. They've got to learn that it's wrong to steal the pharmaceutical industry's property. Wait. What?

Someone's got to say it

[jimicus]

I, for one, welcome our genetically modified supermouse overlords.

Re:Someone's got to say it

[Conception]

No, really... no one has to say it. I promise. It can not be said. We'll all be fine.

Re:Someone's got to say it

[Red Samurai]

Sorry, apparently this was branded "not funny" a while back by the joke police.

Re:My Question

[Anonymous Coward]

Are we sure this protein doesn't have a big positive effect that we are not aware of?

Yes. This is the gene that prevents you from turning into a super mouse. For everyone except mice, that's a major positive effect.

Original quote included side-effects

[MarkByers]

would be nice if they listed some side effects

See the original quote in full:

All the mice died instantly, but on the positive side we cannot make them obese, diabetic or atherosclerotic. They don't develop fatty liver disease, and they don't develop asthma.

Apparently dead mice don't have much appetite. The scientists are continuing their investigations.

aP2 Proteins

[thorshammer42]

So that's that secret ingredient in my Big Mac!

aP2, not a2p

[smcdow]

Instead of aP2, I read a2p, which is the awk to perl translator. Everybody knows a2p is bad for you. First I've heard of aP2.

let me know when the Stephenson novel comes out

[Anonymous Coward]

I'll let his characters explain this all for me, including the big business angle.

Re:My Question

[mlush]

"A vegetarian lifestyle of long duration (> or = 20 y) "

Vegetarians don't live longer it just seems longer