Novel Blood Test Detects Hidden Inflammation Across Multiple Diseases

Inflammation is a key factor in almost every disease, yet existing blood tests are unable to specify which organs or tissues are affected. In a groundbreaking discovery that could revolutionize how doctors diagnose and monitor a variety of conditions, researchers have now identified unique chemical markers that could enable blood tests to detect inflammation in specific organs.

The research, conducted by scientists at Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland, OH, USA), focuses on compounds that form during inflammatory processes, leaving distinct chemical signatures in different parts of the body. Their work centers around how reactive oxygen species (ROS)—highly reactive molecules generated by immune cells to combat pathogens—interact with fatty acids in cell membranes. This interaction leads to the creation of compounds known as epoxyketooctadecanoic acids (EKODEs). These compounds accumulate in different tissues experiencing oxidative stress, such as the brain, heart, and liver. To further understand this, the researchers synthesized model compounds and systematically studied their interactions with various amino acids, ultimately discovering that the amino acid cysteine formed stable bonds with EKODEs.

The findings, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), were validated through experiments involving both mouse models and human tissues. The team developed antibodies that could detect the different types of EKODEs and measure their varying concentrations across various organs. This marks a shift in how researchers could potentially identify disease-specific biomarkers. The implications of this discovery extend beyond merely detection. The method could serve as a model similar to the widely used A1C test for diabetes, which tracks blood sugar levels over three months by measuring glucose-bound hemoglobin. Likewise, an EKODE-based test could reveal abnormal oxidative stress patterns specific to particular organs, potentially identifying early signs of conditions such as heart disease, Alzheimer's, and cancers before they become severe.

The research team is currently focused on discovering EKODE markers related to eye diseases like age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. These conditions, which can lead to vision loss, could be detected earlier through blood tests based on this new research. Moving forward, the next phase of the research will involve linking specific EKODE patterns to distinct diseases, which could lead to a new class of diagnostic tools capable of detecting inflammation with remarkable accuracy. For both patients and healthcare providers, this could enable earlier diagnosis and more targeted treatments for a wide range of inflammatory diseases. The research has also captured the interest of pharmaceutical companies, as identifying reactive cysteines is becoming increasingly crucial in drug development.

“This research opens up an amazing number of pathways for future studies,” said Greg Tochtrop, professor of chemistry at Case Western Reserve who led the investigation. “It will lead directly to better understanding inflammation and detecting diseases, as well as to discovering new drugs.”