To combat Alzheimer’s disease, researchers have looked to the use of antibodies that destroy peptides in the brain responsible for tangles and plaque buildup. However, so far, such treatments have not been successful. Assuming that the problem involves antibodies that are blocked by the blood-brain barrier, scientists have found a way to sneak antibodies into the brains of mice afflicted with the disease, and have seen promising results. rice field.
Using antibodies to treat the amyloid-beta peptide that causes plaques in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients has been a promising idea in the medical community for several years, but the results have been wildly disappointing. It was the first time a monoclonal antibody drug had shown efficacy in slowing the cognitive decline associated with the disease, but just months after its development, drug maker Roche launched a large-scale trial of its cancer drug. announced the failure of a phase 3 clinical trial. Amyloid monoclonal antibody drug.
But antibodies are so successful at fighting off other unwanted substances in the body, from malaria to signaling molecules involved in rheumatoid arthritis, that scientists are using them to blast amyloid beta peptide. I haven’t given up on using it.
Thinking that the problem may be related to the fact that the antibodies that fight amyloid may be too large to cross the blood-brain barrier, researchers at Tokyo Medical and Dental University have developed a group of antibodies known as nanomicelles. A small part of them was hidden inside a round nanoparticle. Glycosylation (attachment to sugar molecules). He then injected these particles into mice suffering from Alzheimer’s disease for 10 weeks.
The research team found that the injection not only reduced the amount of amyloid beta peptide in the brain, but also reduced the size and density of plaques that eventually formed. They also found that they had better learning and spatial memory abilities than untreated mice. This means that treatment not only slows the progression of the disease, but may also alleviate symptoms. Of course, human trials are needed to find out if a treatment works for us.
The researchers say sugar-based nanomicelles can also be loaded with other drugs that degrade amyloid-beta peptides in the brain, potentially opening new avenues for research into Alzheimer’s disease treatments. .
their work Journal of Nanobiotechnology.
Source: Tokyo Medical and Dental University
