Scientists at Edinburgh University say the discovery of key signals that help tissues repair after injury could pave the way for new treatments for asthma and organ scarring.

Experts have identified two molecules that enhance the body's immune response inside vital organs, helping to fight off parasitic worm infections and repair damaged tissues.

By understanding how the immune responses that help repair tissues are controlled in different organs, researchers say it may be possible to better target therapies.

Dr Carlos Minutti, of the university's School of Biological Sciences, said: "Our findings will aid in the development of new approaches to control diseases caused by exaggerated repair responses, such as asthma, fibrosis and perhaps even cancer.

"By targeting local signals the treatment can be restricted to the damaged organ, reducing side effects."