Using a Novel Intranasal Nanoparticle Drug Formulation to Repair the Damaged Spinal Cord in MS and Restore Normal Movement

Start Term
End Term
Funding Amount
$50,000
Affiliation(s)
Dalhousie University
Geographic Region(s) / Province(s)
Nova Scotia
Researcher(s)
Dr. George S. Robertson
Impact Goal(s)
Advance Treatment and Care

Summary:

  • Myelin loss in the spinal cord disrupts communication between neurons that control movement resulting in walking deficits. Recovery of movement in MS requires regrowth of myelin-producing cells called oligodendrocytes that remyelinate nerve fibers (axons) in the spinal cord.
  • This research will determine whether a new drug formulation called IRX4204-NPF can be administered through the nose and stimulate remyelination in the spinal cord of mice with MS-like disease to restore normal leg movements.
  • If proven to be effective, this drug formulation could constitute a safe and novel treatment approach to repair the damaged spinal cord and promote motor recovery in MS.

Project Description:

Myelin loss in the spinal cord disrupts communication between neurons that control movement resulting in walking deficits. Recovery of movement in MS is thought to require the regrowth of myelin-producing cells called oligodendrocytes that remyelinate nerve fibers (axons) in the spinal cord. To achieve this goal, Dr. Robertson and team have identified a new drug called IRX4204 that stimulates remyelination by activating proteins called retinoid X receptors. They have shown that mice with MS-like disease (experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis or EAE) also suffer myelin loss in the spinal cord displaying walking deficits typical of MS, and that injections of IRX4204 restored normal leg movements. To improve the safety and effectiveness of this promising drug, the team will load IRX4204 into a nanoparticle formulation that is then delivered to injured tissues in the spinal cord after being taken through the nose. Showing that intranasal delivery of IRX4204-NPF reverses walking deficit and stimulates remyelination in EAE mice would enable development of this innovative therapeutic approach for MS.

Potential Impact:

Nanoparticle formulations are advantageous as they can selectively deliver drugs to damaged tissues in the central nervous system, which improves drug effectiveness while reducing the risk of adverse side effects by minimizing exposure to non-target tissues. If proven to be effective, this drug formulation could constitute a safe and novel treatment approach to repair the spinal cord and promote motor recovery in MS.

Project Status: In progress