Multiple sclerosis (MS) affects approximately 1 million people in the United States, representing a significant challenge in healthcare. This chronic autoimmune disease triggers inflammation within the nervous system, disrupting communication between the brain and the body and leading to debilitating symptoms like fatigue, memory problems, vision impairment, and mobility loss. Currently, there is no single cure for MS, highlighting the urgent need for innovative therapeutic approaches.
A Novel Approach to Delivering Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) have developed a new method for delivering anti-inflammatory drugs directly to the central nervous system, offering potential relief from MS symptoms and potentially paving the way for treatments for other autoimmune diseases. Their method utilizes immune-regulating cells equipped with “nanopacks” of anti-inflammatory medication, and their findings have been published in the journal Science Advances.
“Autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis currently lack a cure, making the development of reliable treatment options crucial,” stated lead investigator Zongmin Zhao, an assistant professor at the UIC College of Pharmacy and an affiliate of the University of Illinois Cancer Center.
Overcoming the Blood-Brain Barrier
Conventional anti-inflammatory therapies often struggle to reach the brain due to the blood-brain barrier, a protective mechanism that restricts the passage of many substances into the brain. While some drugs can penetrate this barrier, their effectiveness is often limited. Zhao’s lab has been focused for the last three years on MS, and aims to overcome this hurdle.
Nanopack Design and Functionality
The research team’s innovative strategy involves using myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) – immune cells naturally capable of suppressing inflammation – as “travelers” within the central nervous system. These cells are adorned with nano-sized packs containing rapamycin, a potent anti-inflammatory drug. The nanopack essentially enhances the MDSC’s capabilities: it allows the cell to more effectively locate inflamed areas and amplify its anti-inflammatory action, enabling the duo to effectively breach the blood-brain barrier and release rapamycin into the nervous system.
This therapeutic approach essentially reprograms the immune response within the nervous system. In laboratory tests using mice, the therapy demonstrated a reduction in disease progression and an improvement in motor function.
Broader Implications for Autoimmune Diseases
The potential impact of this research extends far beyond multiple sclerosis. As co-author Luyu Zhang, a Ph.D. student in Zhao’s lab, noted, “This method could represent a promising strategy for targeted immunotherapy in MS and other autoimmune disorders.” Future applications could include treatments for conditions like heart disease or arthritis—diseases currently difficult to address.
The research team has named their innovative technique CNS Immune Targeting Enabled by MDSCs (CITED).
Other UIC researchers who contributed to this study include Endong Zhang, Hanan Algarni, Chih-Jia Chao, Shan He, Aditi Upadhye, Qing Bao, Dahee Jung, Shubhi Srivastava, Edidiong Udofa, Philana Phan, Dejan S. Nikolic, Steve Seung-Young Lee, and Jalees Rehman.
This novel cell therapy holds significant promise for treating MS and other autoimmune diseases by directly targeting inflammation within the central nervous system, presenting a potential step toward more effective and targeted treatments.
