Exploring APE1/Ref-1: A New Approach to Fight Duchenne

Inflammation and oxidative stress are big troublemakers when it comes to skeletal muscle diseases. Scientists are now looking at a protein called APE1/Ref-1, which plays a role in DNA repair and controls other proteins, like NF-κB and NRF2. These proteins are often targeted in treatments, but they haven't worked so well. APE1/Ref-1 is like a hidden key that might unlock better treatments for diseases like Duchenne muscular dystrophy. We know it's involved in other disorders, and blocking its redox function with a small molecule called APX3330 seems to help. But, we need to figure out if APE1/Ref-1 is a friend or foe in skeletal muscle. Is it too active or not active enough in conditions like Duchenne? Answering these questions could lead to new ways to tackle chronic inflammation and oxidative stress.