A new study reports that a team of biological researchers and neuroscientists at the Houston Methodist Research Institute in the United States is developing tiny, bioengineered capsules that can reduce brain inflammation without being rejected by the immune system.
The study demonstrated that the capsules, roughly the size of a grain of sand, can surround human brain cells called astrocytes and, when implanted in the brain, induce them to secrete an anti-inflammatory protein called interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1R) into the surrounding environment, thereby significantly reducing inflammatory responses.
The study's leader, Dr. Robert Krincik, from the Houston Methodist Research Institute, said that the capsules form a physical barrier between the implanted astrocytes and brain tissue, allowing the secretion of anti-inflammatory proteins while avoiding immune rejection and unwanted spread in the brain.
This study is a promising step toward developing new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, providing a safer and more effective treatment option in the future.
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