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VLA-4 Inhibitor
VLA-4 (Very Late Antigen-4) is a receptor on most white blood cells. The binding of VLA-4 to VCAM-1, a protein found on certain endothelial cells, facilitates the migration of white blood cells into tissue as part of an inflammatory response. This response can be very damaging, or even life threatening, when it acts against the body's own tissue in chronic inflammatory diseases like asthma. By blocking the VLA-4/VCAM pathway and the subsequent movement of white blood cells into tissues, it may be possible to prevent injury and damage. Biogen scientists have developed VLA-4 inhibitors as a means of blocking the inflammation process in a highly specific manner.

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