Dr. Stephen D. Miller from Northwestern
and Dr. Brian Popko from the University of Chicago are using nanotechnology to
induce immune system tolerance, thereby preventing “friendly fire” on healthy
cells in the body of a patient with MS.
In this work, biodegradable
nanoparticles—composed of the same biopolymer used to make resorbable sutures—are
coated with myelin proteins. Once these clusters are infused into the body, the
immune system is re-taught that healthy myelin is not an invading outside
threat and should be left alone. The Miller and Popko laboratories are
combining this tolerance protocol with drugs that stimulate myelin repair and
have found that combined treatment with both strategies leads to a remarkable
ability to reverse paralytic symptoms in animal models of MS.
Through the Tolerance
Initiative, the immune system environment is effectively enhanced, allowing for
re-myelination to occur naturally or with the intervention of myelin repair
agents, many of which are currently entering into human clinical trials.
This research is a game changer. Not
only does it have the potential to revolutionize the management of MS, but also
myriad other diseases. Since the myelin proteins used in the Tolerance
Initiative can be exchanged with other proteins, scientists could potentially “tolerize”
in response to many types of autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes,
rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus. It could also lead to breakthroughs in controlling
severe allergies like peanut and cat dander, or even eliminating organ
transplant rejections.
Join us and be part
of our team; walk and donate on Sunday, May 22nd,
2016 in Lincolnshire. At 10:00 am we will start a 4 mile neighborhood walk,
starting and finishing at our house. Then spend the afternoon of
camaraderie and a backyard picnic with us. Bring your friends.
If you can’t make the trip join our group by donating online
through Northwestern Univ.
or by writing a check:
Northwestern Univ.
Memo: CATalyzer project, FAKGA
c/o Bob Gregory
Memo: CATalyzer project, FAKGA
c/o Bob Gregory
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