Brain's immune cells promising cellular target for therapeutics

Date:
September 8, 2020
Source:
American Institute of Physics
Summary:
Inspired by the need for new and better therapies for
neurodegenerative diseases, researchers are exploring the link
between uncontrolled inflammation within the brain and the brain's
immune cells, known as microglia, which are emerging as a promising
cellular target because of the prominent role they play in brain
inflammation. The group highlights the design considerations
and benefits of creating therapeutic nanoparticles for carrying
pharmacological factors directly to the sites of the microglia.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Inspired by the need for new and better therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease, Rutgers University researchers are exploring the link between uncontrolled
inflammation within the brain and the brain's immune cells, known as
microglia.


==========================================================================
Most therapies for brain health disorders focus on the major cells
of the nervous system: neurons. But microglia cells are emerging as a
promising cellular target because of the prominent role they play in
brain inflammation.

In addition, microglial behavior can be engineered to rein in
inflammation, which is caused by different factors, and the damage
it causes.

In APL Bioengineering, from AIP Publishing, the group highlights the
design considerations and benefits of creating therapeutic nanoparticles
for carrying pharmacological factors directly to the sites of the
microglia.

Microglia are essentially first responders to pathological changes within
the brain and can readily clear out undesired and foreign substances.

"Emerging drugs and biological factors can be targeted and released
in controlled ways within the brain if their nanoscale carriers can
be engineered," said Prabhas V. Moghe, co-author on the paper. "We
believe this field is ripe for technological, biological, and clinical breakthroughs." The group's ultimate goal is to tamp down the
uncontrolled activation of microglial inflammation.

"Within our lab at Rutgers, we are developing a new therapeutic strategy targeted to the microglia activated by the excessive deposition of the
protein alpha-synuclein," Moghe said. "This will potentially address a
major therapeutic barrier of microglial activation in neurodegenerative diseases." Targeting microglia in this manner may open up avenues for
the development of novel therapeutics.

"Studying nanoparticle interactions with microglia can guide the design
of successful nanomedicine platforms that enable targeted delivery of
drugs while minimizing off-target effects and system-level toxicity,"
Moghe said.

"Considering the complex nature of neurodegenerative disorders, rather
than solely focusing on therapies for neurons, it may be worth directing therapeutics to the mediator, microglia, whose functional restoration
will protect neurons."

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by American_Institute_of_Physics. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Nanxia Zhao, Nicola L. Francis, Hannah R. Calvelli, Prabhas
V. Moghe.

Microglia-targeting nanotherapeutics for neurodegenerative
diseases. APL Bioengineering, 2020; 4 (3): 030902 DOI:
10.1063/5.0013178 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/09/200908113239.htm

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