A parasite found in cat poop might revolutionize the treatment of neurological diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Researchers are studying a modified strain of Toxoplasma gondii because it could deliver therapeutic proteins directly to the brain.
Although the research is still in its early stages, it offers a hopeful glimpse into overcoming one of the toughest challenges in neurological medicine.
Overcoming the Brain Barrier
The difficulty of delivering targeted treatments to specific neurons in the brain has been a major issue in neurological healthcare.
Interestingly, the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, commonly found in cat feces, has shown a unique ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. This parasite moves from the digestive system to the brain, where it releases proteins into neurons.
Researchers from the University of Glasgow and Tel Aviv University have used the unique ability of Toxoplasma gondii to create a strain that delivers therapeutic proteins.
This method overcomes the challenge of targeting specific brain cells, which is essential for treating diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Rett Syndrome.
The team worked on producing and delivering the MeCP2 protein, which is a key target for treating Rett Syndrome, a serious brain disorder caused by mutations in the MECP2 gene.
They used engineered parasites to successfully deliver the MeCP2 protein to the right spot in brain organoids and mouse models.
The parasite successfully made and delivered the protein to the target cells in brain organoids and mice, according to the study team. This achievement is a key step in showing that parasites could be used to deliver treatments for neurological conditions.
Challenges and Future Directions
Although this approach is groundbreaking, it’s still years away from being used in practice. The researchers aim to conduct more tests to ensure the parasites die after delivering their payload, reducing any potential harm and improving safety.
The study introduces a novel idea in medicine: using organisms that evolved to affect the brain for therapeutic purposes.
In the press release, Professor Oded Rechavi from Tel Aviv University highlighted the research’s groundbreaking nature, stating, “Evolution already ‘invented’ organisms that can manipulate our brains, I think that instead of re-inventing the wheel, we could learn from them and use their abilities.”
Professor Lilach Sheiner from the University of Glasgow’s School of Infection and Immunity, a leading author of the study, praised the project’s forward-thinking approach:
“This is a blue-sky project where our collaborative team was thinking out of the box to try to tackle the long-standing medical challenge of finding a way to successfully deliver treatment to the brain for cognitive disorders.”
“The concept is not without challenges, considering the dangers involved with Toxoplasma infection. For our work to become a treatment reality it will require many more years of careful research and development to enhance efficiency and improve safety,” Sheiner added in the press release.
Toxoplasma gondii can cause toxoplasmosis, an infection from cat feces or infected meat. Most people won’t have symptoms, but it can cause fever, headache, sore throat, body aches, swollen glands, tiredness, and nausea. Toxoplasmosis usually isn’t serious and often improves without treatment.
The study, “Engineering a Brain Parasite for Protein Delivery to the Central Nervous System,” has been published in Nature Microbiology.