
The newly developed antibody 6H4 fragments (Fabs) specific to A? oligomers, encapsulated in the polymeric nanomicelles (PMs), were peripherally administrated to AD model mouse for 10 weeks. In mice that were administered anti-A?O 6H4 Fabs in the PMs, various toxic A? species (A? oligomers, A?42s, N3pE A?s, A?s with toxic conformer) and the presence of A? plaques with dense cores in the brain were significantly reduced. Additionally, suppression of the progression of pathological processes of AD was supported by the prevention of cognitive-behavioral decline in the spatial memory tests.
CREDIT: Department of Neurology and Neurological Science, TMDU
Researchers led by Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU) find that antibody fragments encapsulated in nanomicelles cross the blood–brain barrier and reduce the levels of toxic A? species in the brain of an Alzheimer’s disease model mouse
Sometimes the best things in life come by chance, when we happen to be in the right place at the right time. Now, researchers from Japan have found a way to ensure that new medications are delivered to the right place in the body and at the right timepoint in disease progression, so that they have the best effect.
In a study published recently in the Journal of Nanobiotechnology, researchers led by Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU) have revealed that a novel delivery system delivers treatment to where it is needed most in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
AD is a common neurodegenerative disease that causes dementia. It is characterized by the accumulation of a protein called amyloid ? (A?) in the brain, and a number of different toxic forms of A? have been identified that impair brain function, notably A? oligomers (A?Os).
“Multiple clinical trials have attempted to use an anti-A? antibody to treat AD, but the results have been unsatisfactory,” says lead author of the study Akiko Amano. “One potential explanation for this is that the blood–brain barrier (BBB) prevents most full-length antibodies from entering the brain.”
To address this challenge, the researchers previously developed glucosylated (sugar-linked) polymeric nanomicelles (PMs), which are tiny, hollow balls that could successfully cross the BBB via transcytosis in mouse brain capillary endothelial cells; this process was mediated by glucose-transporter-1 and induced by an increase in blood glucose levels after the mice experienced fasting conditions. In this study, Takanori Yokota and colleagues filled PMs with fragments of an anti-A?O antibody, injected them into a mouse model of AD, and assessed the effects on the brain and on behavior.
“The results were very clear,” explains senior author Nobuo Sanjo. “Administration of anti-A?O antibody fragments through PMs significantly reduced the amounts of various toxic A? species. In addition, the A? plaques that did form were smaller and less dense than those seen in untreated mice.”
Next, the researchers analyzed the behavior of the mice and found that the mice treated with the antibody fragment-filled PMs had better learning and spatial memory than untreated mice. “Our findings suggest that delivering sufficient levels of antibodies to the brain using PMs can reduce toxic A? species and slow AD progression in mice,” says Amano.
Given that the failure of anti-A? antibodies to improve cognitive function in human clinical trials was likely because of an insufficient supply of the antibodies in the brain, PM-encapsulated antibody fragments could represent an effective way to prevent AD progression. In addition, new candidates for AD treatment that degrade toxic A?s and reduce their toxic effects could also be delivered to the brain using the same PM-based system.
Original Article: Transporting antibodies across the blood–brain barrier to treat Alzheimer’s disease
More from: Tokyo Medical and Dental University
The Latest Updates from Bing News
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Alzheimer’s disease
- Scientists Discover Ways To Reduce Symptoms in Alzheimer's Disease
Two new studies reveal that electrical stimulation of the brain and light therapy treatment might help patients with Alzheimer's.
- Light therapy may improve symptoms of Alzheimer's disease
Light therapy leads to significant improvements in sleep and psycho-behavioral symptoms for patients with Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study published in PLOS ONE by Qinghui Meng of Weifang ...
- What you should eat to lower your Alzheimer's disease risk, as per a study
Ultra processed foods can increase the risk of obesity and diabetes, themselves risk factors for Alzheimer's disease.
- Fasting could reduce signs of Alzheimer’s disease: studies
It’s been proven that what people eat can help prevent or slow Alzheimer’s disease — but what about when they eat? Participating in intermittent (time-restricted) fasting could lead to a reduced risk ...
- Alzheimer’s: Jack Draper raising awareness of disease after 'devastating' effect on his grandmother
Briton Jack Draper is raising awareness of Alzheimer’s disease after describing the "devastating" effect the condition has had on his grandmother.
Go deeper with Bing News on:
PM-encapsulated antibody fragments
- Streamline Manufacturing of Antibody-Based Therapeutics with Novel Purification Approaches
engineered modalities such as bispecific antibodies and antibody fragments are entering clinical studies in record numbers. Protein A affinity chromatography has been widely adopted for the ...
- Allergen-specific Antibodies: From Basic Science to Clinical Application
Keywords: Monoclonal antibody, antibody fragments, IgE, IgG, allergy, antibody-based approaches, allergen-specific antibodies, humoral immunity in allergic disease Important Note: All contributions to ...
- Recombinant antibody expression services and a novel antibody generation platform
Antibody Fragment Production Service: Generates high-purity antibodies in any format (scFv, VHH, Fab, etc.) at affordable prices. Bispecific Antibody Production Service: Produces recombinant bsAbs ...
- The Future of Antibody Technology: Characterizing Novel Formats for Therapeutics
Formats that retain the basic structure of an IgG may inherit their pharmacokinetic properties, but novel constructs that lack the fragment crystallizable region (Fc) region of the antibody can ...
- Therapeutic Antibodies – Multimedia
However, with the development of engineered modalities such as bi-specific antibodies, fragments and Fc-fusion proteins, challenges in the downstream process of these molecules arise. In less than 10 ...