{"id":12263,"date":"2024-08-11T21:50:48","date_gmt":"2024-08-11T21:50:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/topat10.com\/?p=12263"},"modified":"2024-08-11T21:50:48","modified_gmt":"2024-08-11T21:50:48","slug":"how-do-you-get-drugs-to-the-brain-maybe-try-a-parasite","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/topat10.com\/?p=12263","title":{"rendered":"How Do You Get Drugs to the Brain? Maybe Try a Parasite"},"content":{"rendered":"


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In a new study, a global team of researchers hijacked the system Toxoplasma<\/em> uses<\/a> to secrete proteins into its host cell. The team genetically engineered Toxoplasma<\/em> to make a hybrid protein, fusing one of its secreted proteins to a protein called MECP2<\/a>, which regulates gene activity in the brain\u2014in effect, giving the MECP2 a piggyback ride into neurons. Researchers found that the parasites secreted the MECP2 protein hybrid into neurons grown in a petri dish as well as in the brains of infected mice.<\/p>\n

A genetic deficiency in MECP2 causes a rare brain development disorder called Rett syndrome<\/a>. Gene therapy trials using viruses to deliver the MECP2 protein<\/a> to treat Rett syndrome are underway. If Toxoplasma<\/em> can deliver a form of MECP2 protein into brain cells, it may provide another option to treat this currently incurable condition. It also may offer another treatment option for other neurological problems that arise from errant proteins, such as Alzheimer\u2019s<\/a> and Parkinson\u2019s disease<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Long Road Ahead<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The road from laboratory bench to bedside<\/a> is long and filled with obstacles, so don\u2019t expect to see engineered Toxoplasma<\/em> in the clinic anytime soon.<\/p>\n

The obvious complication in using Toxoplasma<\/em> for medical purposes is that it can produce a serious, lifelong infection that is currently incurable. Infecting someone with Toxoplasma<\/em> can damage critical organ systems<\/a>, including the brain, eyes, and heart.<\/p>\n

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