The pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) has been tied to ineffective immune control of Epstein-Barr virus-driven autoimmune responses. Patients with MS are deficient in protective adaptive natural killer cells (pNK cells) in contrast to healthy individuals. These pNK cells are positive for NKG2A, NKG2C and NKG2D and recognize and kill autoreactive B cells in a selective and efficient manner.
Muna Therapeutics ApS has patented new triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) agonists reported to be useful for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, frontotemporal dementia, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, type 2 diabetes and obesity, among others.
Chinese researchers have published preclinical data regarding the potential of never in mitosis A (NIMA)-related kinase 2 (NEK2) as a therapeutic target in multiple sclerosis (MS), an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) in which B cells play a key role.
Humanwell Pharmaceutical US Inc. has disclosed new potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily KQT member 2 (KCNQ2; Kv7.2) and Kv7.3 activators. They are described as potentially useful for the treatment of epilepsy, pain, depression, bipolar disorder, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and neurodegeneration.
Activation of cannabinoid receptors in the peripheral nervous system may help treat inflammatory and gastrointestinal disorders as well as pain, and several full agonists have been reported but they present safety concerns. Partial agonists, such as those that activate receptors to 20%-50% of full activity, may be safer, yet so far such agonists have emerged serendipitously.
Dem Biopharma Inc. has divulged G-protein coupled receptor 84 (GPR84) agonists and phagocytosis inducers reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer, infections, neurological disorders and rheumatoid arthritis.
Neuron23 Inc. has identified non-receptor tyrosine-protein kinase TYK2 inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of autoimmune disease, endocrine disorders, inflammatory disorders and multiple sclerosis.
Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is neuroinflammatory disease characterized by optic neuritis and myelitis with presence of anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibodies. Satralizumab is an anti-IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) humanized antibody approved for preventing relapses in NMOSD (AQP4 IgG positive) in adults and children in Japan.
Mercury Bio Inc. has released promising results from a preclinical study that successfully utilized its extracellular vesicle (EV) drug encapsulation platform (yEV) to deliver proteins, in the form of nanobodies, into neurons across the blood-brain barrier. The yEV platform utilizes yeast-derived exosomes, a subtype of EV.
Pop Biotechnologies Inc. has been awarded a $2.46 million grant by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to pursue development of a ‘mosaic’ active immunotherapy against Alzheimer’s disease.
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