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Updated: Aug 6, 2026

Chemically-blocked Antibody Microarray for Multiplexed High-throughput Profiling of Specific Protein Glycosylation in Complex Samples
Published on: May 4, 2012
Glycine: a new anti-inflammatory immunonutrient
M D Wheeler1, K Ikejema, N Enomoto
1Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 27599-7365, USA.
Glycine acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the spinal cord and also suppresses immune cells by activating a glycine-gated chloride channel (GlyR). This mechanism offers protective effects in various disease models.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Glycine is a known inhibitory neurotransmitter in the spinal cord, acting on glycine-gated chloride channels (GlyR).
- Recent findings suggest glycine also exerts inhibitory effects on various white blood cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the mechanism of glycine's immunosuppressive effects.
- To discuss the pathophysiological applications of glycine's action on immune cells.
Main Methods:
- Pharmacological analysis using GlyR antagonist (strychnine) and chloride-free buffer.
- Molecular analysis including reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting.
- In vivo studies using rat models for endotoxemia, liver injury, and transplantation.
Main Results:
- Evidence supports the presence of GlyR in white blood cells (macrophages, neutrophils, lymphocytes).
- GlyR beta subunit mRNA and protein identified in rat Kupffer cells.
- Dietary glycine demonstrated protective effects in rat models of liver injury, endotoxemia, and kidney injury.
Conclusions:
- Glycine's immunosuppressive action is mediated via GlyR in immune cells, particularly Kupffer cells.
- Dietary glycine shows therapeutic potential against inflammatory conditions like sepsis and arthritis.
- Glycine may be a valuable clinical tool for treating inflammatory diseases.
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