2023-09-11 10:45:00
Title: Researchers at Mahidol University Develop New Method for Disease Treatment Using “Cell Dust”
Date: September 11, 2023
In a groundbreaking development, researchers at Mahidol University, in collaboration with Naresuan University and Chiang Mai University, have successfully engineered a method using “cell dust” or extracellular sacs called extracellular vesicles (EVs) for disease treatment. These microscopic EVs, ranging in size from 30 to 4,000 nanometers, are found in various tissues and body fluids and play a crucial role in communication between neighboring and distant cells.
Cell dust carries different biomolecules, including proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, antigens, and integrins, representing the source cell from which they originate. When these EVs interact with receptor cells, they trigger various reactions depending on the recipient cell type. For instance, in normal conditions, different nerve cells, such as neurons, microglia, glial cells, astrocytes, and endothelial cells, work together effectively. However, in conditions like stroke, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease, cellular dysfunction disrupts cell communication, leading to the development of brain diseases.
Recognizing the impact of cell dust on disease incidence, researchers have focused on analyzing the biomolecules within EVs as potential biological indicators or biomarkers for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as nervous system disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and more. They have also developed engineering technologies to modify these EVs, enabling them to use the biomolecules within as “index indicators of disease activity” and for targeted drug delivery in diseases of the nervous system, heart, and blood vessels.
Led by Professor Emeritus Dr. Kowit Phatthana Panyasat, head of the Special Equipment for Research Unit at the Research Promotion Center, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, the research teams from Mahidol University, Naresuan University, and Chiang Mai University have made significant progress in coating cell dust with guided molecules and incorporating beneficial biomolecules for targeted treatment. This method follows the success of treating cancer patients using similar techniques.
Notably, patients with NCDs often have higher amounts of cell dust in their blood, carrying both beneficial and harmful biomolecules. By identifying specific biomolecules as disease indicators or modifying packaging for potential drug delivery, researchers aim to enhance disease treatment and management.
Furthermore, Mahidol University emphasizes the significance of their research in advancing beyond stem cell transplant technology, which requires individual patient compatibility. The “Dust Cell Modification Engineering Technology” allows for the large-scale production of engineered dust cells to treat a larger number of patients. The university aims to collaborate with the Department of Medical Sciences, Ministry of Public Health, to raise production levels to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) standards in the future.
Crucially, the safety of utilizing cell dust for treatment remains assured, as it originates from the “mother cell” without any covering that could cause adverse reactions in other cell types.
With international academic collaboration, notably with Paris Research Center Cardiovascular (PARCC), France, and research institutions in the United States and Japan, Mahidol University benefits from the exchange of new technologies for engineering biomolecules successfully demonstrated at the animal level. The university plans to expand these findings to study various factors and eventually develop treatments for cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and strokes. The research team anticipates intellectual property registration and publications in international academic journals before transferring technology to the Department of Medical Sciences for GMP-standard production within the next three years.
Mahidol University proudly upholds its mission as a “healthy university” for the Thai people and all of humanity, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health & Well-being.
For more updates, visit Mahidol University’s website at www.mahidol.ac.th.
Source: Mahidol University]
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