ICBII UPDATE ON THE ROAD TO THE CURE - JANUARY 2023

A New Potential Therapeutic Target for Parkinson’s Disease

Neurodegenerative Parkinson’s disease is characterized by a progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons from the nigrostriatal pathway, formation of Lewy bodies, microgliosis, and neuroinflammation. During the past decades multiple cellular pathways have been identified that are believed to be associated with Parkinson’s pathology (i.e., oxidative stress, endosomal-lysosomal dysfunction, mitochondria dysfunction, and immune response), yet disease-modifying treatments are not available. Another pathway that has been recently studied is that of “The Role of Lipids and Fatty Acids” in Parkinson’s pathology. 

Lipids are biomolecules soluble in nonpolar organic solvents, usually insoluble in water, and primarily known for their metabolic role in energy storage. Furthermore, they are the main constituents of cellular membranes, part of membrane rafts and protein anchors, and take part in many important cellular processes such as signaling and transport molecules. While we do not need to go into the details of eight different classes of lipids, it is important to understand that alpha-synuclein, a protein that plays a key role in Parkinson’s, is known to interact with and alter the balance of lipids and fatty acids in the brain. In particular, polyunsaturated fatty acids strongly interact with the N-terminal of alpha-synuclein, enhances its oligomerization (clumping), forming Lewy body-deposits in dopaminergic neurons that leads to Parkinson’s pathology. 

Lipase-E as Potential Therapeutic Target for Parkinson’s – In a new study published on June 12, 2022, scientists from Brigham and Harvard Medical School identified an enzyme, Lipase-E (LIPE), that degrades lipids such as triglycerides to produce unsaturated fatty acids that bind to alpha-synuclein. Scientists also found that inhibiting Lipase-E reduced the formation of clusters of α-synuclein inclusions and other characteristics associated with Parkinson’s in patient-derived neurons. LIPE reduction also alleviated neurodegeneration in a C. elegans model of α-synuclein toxicity. These studies strongly point out the therapeutic role of Lipase-E in Parkinson’s. 

Inhibitors of Lipase-E – Understandably, scientists from Brigham and Harvard Medical School must be working hard to develop a small molecule drug as an inhibitor of Lipase-E to potentially modify Parkinson’s. There is no knowledge, to date, that they have created such a small molecule. And then note, that while some of the small molecule drugs can cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), sadly most of them don’t. Secondly, small molecule drugs do not have the exquisite selectivity of antibodies, but most of the mouse derived antibodies that pharma and academics are using do not cross the BBB. The good news is that ICB International, Inc., has the technology to transport drugs into the brain.

ADDITIONALLY, WOULD YOU LIKE TO HELP get ICBII’s drugs to market faster? The joy of being a part of these historical events can be had by helping ICBII find the funds to bring these trials to fruition through your investing, and by finding others with the financial ability and humanitarian mindset to accomplish the, until now, impossible. Please contact ICBII directly through their website ICBII.com or by phone 858-455-9880, or contact Jo Rosen at PRO for a personal introduction to the scientists.

IMAGINE the world without Parkinson’s, MSA, or Alzheimer’s disease.

JUST IMAGINE.