Company demonstrates treatment with intravenous fibroblasts can facilitate remyelination in the brains of mice.
Regenerative medicine biotech FibroBiologics is claiming a breakthrough in the field of neurodegenerative disease research – demonstrating that an intravenous administration of fibroblasts can facilitate remyelination, a critical process in the repair of damaged nerve fibers in the brain.
Myelin is an essential insulating layer surrounding nerve fibers that enables efficient communication between neurons. Damage to the myelin sheath is a hallmark of multiple sclerosis and other neurodegenerative diseases, leading to impaired nerve function and a decline in cognitive and motor abilities. The ability to restore this protective layer holds implications for improving neurological function and slowing disease progression.
Remyelination is a natural repair mechanism that, when functioning optimally, can help counteract the effects of demyelination. However, its efficiency diminishes with age, making its failure a major factor in conditions such as multiple sclerosis. Research has also demonstrated that demyelination can result in cognitive impairments and structural changes in the brain akin to those observed in Alzheimer’s disease.
Boasting an extensive portfolio of patents relating to therapeutics for chronic diseases based on fibroblasts, FibroBiologics conducted studies in the ‘cuprizone’ animal model, which allows researchers to study the mechanisms of demyelination and remyelination. The company today announced it had demonstrated a “statistically significant” increase in myelin expression in the weeks following its fibroblast treatments.
“This confirmation by our talented team of researchers demonstrates that fibroblasts can support the regeneration of myelin sheath, marking a potentially significant step in the utilization of a cell-based therapeutic in regenerative medicine,” said FibroBiologics’ CSO Dr Hamid Khoja.
Hamid Khoja, FibroBiologics
Rather than focus on stem cell-based therapies, FibroBiologics is harnessing the regenerative potential of fibroblasts – primary connective tissue cells responsible for various biological functions. The company aims to optimize the therapeutic potential of fibroblast-based treatments for chronic diseases and age-related conditions.
“Confirming remyelination in a second validated animal model is an important step in our research and development efforts, offering fresh hope for patients with demyelinating diseases, including multiple sclerosis,” said FibroBiologics CEO Pete O’Heeron. “These findings advance our mission to develop transformative fibroblast-based therapies that address the root causes of chronic disease, not just their symptoms, and reflect our dedication to pushing the frontiers of regenerative medicine.”
In addition to its research on remyelination, FibroBiologics is investigating the broader implications of fibroblast therapy on immune modulation and longevity, including its potential role in mitigating thymic involution, the age-related decline of the thymus gland.
“Age has been characterized to include systemic, chronic inflammation, accompanied by cellular senescence and immune senescence, which leads to a whole gamut of other chronic diseases over the course of life,” Khoja told us previously. “Our goal is to utilize the key characteristics of fibroblasts to build products that will potentially help in curing or treating age-related chronic diseases.”
READ MORE: Our exclusive interview with FibroBiologics’ CSO Hamid Khoja
Photographs courtesy of FibroBiologics