Скачать или смотреть Ms. Krystina Hess, "A nanotechnology-based approach to engineer immunological..."

Full title: "A nanotechnology-based approach to engineer immunological tolerance in multiple sclerosis"

Speaker: Krystina Hess (http://jewell.umd.edu/team.html )

Abstract: Autoimmune diseases occur when cells of the immune system incorrectly recognize and attack naturally occurring molecules in the body. In multiple sclerosis (MS), the myelin sheath that insulates and protects nerves is recognized as a foreign antigen. The immune system’s attack on nerves leads to neurodegeneration (i.e. impaired speech and motor function). Clinically available treatments for multiple sclerosis are not curative and are broadly acting, leaving patients immunocompromised. Studies aimed at addressing this concern reveal that development of inflammation or tolerance to an antigen is influenced by the form in which self-antigens, such as myelin, are presented to the immune system. We use quantum dots (QDs) to deliver myelin self-antigen in an attempt to redirect the inflammatory response to myelin in a mouse model of MS. QDs allow a high density myelin self-peptide to be delivered and allow visualization in the body due to their fluorescent nature. Upon injection, we show peptide-QDs rapidly drain to lymph nodes, tissues that coordinate immune responses, and specifically concentrate in areas involved in tolerance. Treatment with peptide-QDs also reduces disease incidence ten-fold. Strikingly, the degree of tolerance directly correlates with the density of myelin molecules displayed by QDs. Treatment with a high number of particles displaying lower levels of self-peptide is more effective for inducing tolerance than fewer particles each displaying higher densities of peptide. QDs present a new highly controlled delivery method for self-antigens and present the opportunity for visualization in tolerogenic tissue domains. This tool could ultimately lead to the development of new technologies and treatments in the search for a cure to MS.

The big question that my technology addresses: Can we develop a tool that will inform that rational design of a cure for MS?