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A groundbreaking study reveals that a common parasite found in cat litter could become a game-changer in the treatment of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
This innovative approach, involving an engineered strain of Toxoplasma gondii, promises a novel method for delivering therapeutic proteins directly to the brain.
Though still in the early stages, the research offers a hopeful glimpse into overcoming one of the most challenging barriers in neurological medicine.
The challenge of delivering targeted treatments across the blood-brain barrier and into specific neurons has long plagued neurological healthcare. Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite often associated with cat feces, has demonstrated a remarkable ability to cross this barrier. This parasite naturally moves from the digestive system to the brain, where it secretes proteins into neurons.
International researchers led by the University of Glasgow, in collaboration with Tel Aviv University, have harnessed this trait by engineering a strain of Toxoplasma gondii to deliver therapeutic proteins. This new technique addresses the longstanding difficulty of targeting disease-affected brain cells, which is crucial for treating disorders like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Rett Syndrome.
The team focused on delivering the MeCP2 protein, known for its potential as a therapeutic target for Rett Syndrome—a severe neurological disorder caused by mutations in the MECP2 gene. The engineered parasites successfully produced and delivered the MeCP2 protein to the correct cellular location in both brain organoids and mouse models.
The parasite successfully produced the protein, and then delivered the protein to the target cell location in brain organoids and in mice models, noted the study team. This marks a significant milestone in demonstrating the potential of parasites as delivery vehicles for neurological treatments.
interestingengineering.com
Research paper here:
www.nature.com
This innovative approach, involving an engineered strain of Toxoplasma gondii, promises a novel method for delivering therapeutic proteins directly to the brain.
Though still in the early stages, the research offers a hopeful glimpse into overcoming one of the most challenging barriers in neurological medicine.
The challenge of delivering targeted treatments across the blood-brain barrier and into specific neurons has long plagued neurological healthcare. Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite often associated with cat feces, has demonstrated a remarkable ability to cross this barrier. This parasite naturally moves from the digestive system to the brain, where it secretes proteins into neurons.
International researchers led by the University of Glasgow, in collaboration with Tel Aviv University, have harnessed this trait by engineering a strain of Toxoplasma gondii to deliver therapeutic proteins. This new technique addresses the longstanding difficulty of targeting disease-affected brain cells, which is crucial for treating disorders like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Rett Syndrome.
The team focused on delivering the MeCP2 protein, known for its potential as a therapeutic target for Rett Syndrome—a severe neurological disorder caused by mutations in the MECP2 gene. The engineered parasites successfully produced and delivered the MeCP2 protein to the correct cellular location in both brain organoids and mouse models.
The parasite successfully produced the protein, and then delivered the protein to the target cell location in brain organoids and in mice models, noted the study team. This marks a significant milestone in demonstrating the potential of parasites as delivery vehicles for neurological treatments.
Cat poo parasites could cure disorders like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s
A new study reveals that an engineered strain of Toxoplasma gondii could help formulate new treatments for neurodegenerative disorders.
interestingengineering.com
Research paper here:
Engineering Toxoplasma gondii secretion systems for intracellular delivery of multiple large therapeutic proteins to neurons - Nature Microbiology
Toxoplasma gondii secretion systems can be engineered to deliver multiple large therapeutic proteins to neurons in vitro and in vivo.
www.nature.com
