Double effect of the body’s own signalling molecule itaconic acid described

An international research team from TWINCORE – Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint facility of the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and the Hannover Medical School, describes the dual effect of the endogenous substance itaconic acid, which is both antiviral and anti-inflammatory. Their study, which has now appeared in the journal PLOS Pathogens, opens up perspectives for possible therapeutic applications of itaconic acid against severe courses of disease in viral infections.