Catalyst Awardee

Project Description

Nanobodies in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Central Degenerative Diseases

Fang Zheng, PhD; Yurong Wen, PhD; Yurong Wen, PhD | Xian Jiaotong University
Competition Sponsor: Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences
Award year: 2021

Degenerative diseases of the central nervous system have been receiving broad attention due to the complex pathogenic mechanism and lack of diagnosis and treatment methods. Studies have shown that Microglia are highly correlated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and responsible for early immune activation. Targeting Microglia is curial for systematically understanding and monitoring the early symptoms of AD development. Therefore, we have developed a nanobody named Nb119 as a molecular imaging probe for the noninvasive monitoring of these macrophages. Interestingly, Nb can serve as an ideal molecular imaging probe for the brain because of its unique ability to pass through the blood-brain barrier in pathological conditions. In this study, we have verified the specificity, effectiveness, and safety of Nb119 targeting Microglia in mouse brains in vivo and in vitro. It provides new tools for researching the mechanism, diagnosis, and treatment of central degenerative diseases and lays the foundation for realizing the precise diagnosis and treatment of central degenerative diseases by targeted molecular imaging in vivo. Furthermore, we will research the mechanism and diagnosis, and treatment of AD and try to apply them to the clinic usage, making the Nb119 a reliable tool for the research, diagnosis, and treatment of central degenerative diseases. This will enlighten more molecular imaging probes applied to brain science research and other conduct research on the mechanism of central degenerative diseases and strive to find a diagnosis or treatment method.

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