A new study has pioneered the use of a single-cell parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, to inject therapeutic proteins into brain cells. This could potentially treat brain disorders and overcome the brain’s natural defense against drugs.
The brain is very picky about what it lets in, including many drugs, which limits treatment options for neurological conditions. The blood-brain barrier, a layer of cells lining the brain’s blood vessels, acts like a gatekeeper to block germs and other unwanted substances from gaining access to neurons.
Unlike most pathogens, Toxoplasma can cross the blood-brain barrier and invade brain cells. Once inside neurons, the parasite releases a suite of proteins that alter gene expression in its host.
• The parasite’s ability to cross the blood-brain barrier makes it an attractive option for delivering therapeutic proteins to the brain.
• Modified Toxoplasma parasites could be engineered to produce specific proteins that treat neurological conditions.
• This approach could potentially overcome the brain’s natural defense against drugs and provide a new way to treat brain disorders.
By using Toxoplasma as a delivery system, scientists may be able to turn this common parasite from foe into friend and develop new treatments for brain disorders.