European researchers have classified new molecules called nanobodies, or miniantibodies, as biological molecules that can prevent the inflammatory response and reduce pain due to inflammation in mice. As of the publishing of the research, the team explained that the results they saw showed more effective inflammation treatment than that of natural antibodies or current anti-inflammatory drugs.
They believe the nanobodies can be harnessed in therapeutic applications and eventually could become a powerful treatment for diseases characterized by chronic pain and inflammation.
What Are Nanobodies?
Nanobodies are small pieces of antibodies about one tenth of the size. Research began on them by taking antibodies found in camels, llamas, and alpacas and transforming them into smaller antibodies. The result is a molecule that is highly selective when binding to cells. When their purpose is fulfilled, they biodegrade into non-toxic by-products.
How Can They Treat Inflammatory Diseases?
The nanobodies’ ability to treat inflammatory diseases comes from their selective cell binding. Researchers are currently programming them to inhibit P2X7 cells on immune cells, effectively canceling the inflammatory response and the pain and discomfort that comes with it.
What Is Inflammation?
Inflammation is the body’s reaction to the introduction of a foreign substance. Humans evolved the process to repair injury and disease. When a foreign substance, such as an infection, enters the body, your brain signals to your immune system to produce white blood cells and send them to the site of the infection. The white blood cells work to repair tissue and fight pathogens.
 |
| Inflammation diagram. |
But along with the restorative effects of inflammation come pain and discomfort. If the negative effects become chronic, serious diseases can result, such as rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, atherosclerosis, and asthma. In some cases, the body triggers the inflammatory response to fight perfectly healthy tissue.
How Can We Treat Inflammation?
Scientists have found that the P2X7, which allows molecules to pass in and out of cells, is at least partially responsible for triggering the inflammatory response. The drugs developed to prevent its action do not bind very selectively with cells, so they tend to bind to other cell structures that inhibit different bodily processes. Severe side effects result from the interference of these drugs with cell functions.
The nanobodies built to block the action of P2X7 on immune cells have the potential to prevent inflammation in humans. It has already shown efficacy in experiments on mice with kidney inflammation and allergic dermatitis. Researchers recorded no apparent side effects.
In humans, nanobodies were able to block P2X7 1,000 times more effectively than current anti-inflammatory drugs. If harnessed correctly, the nanobodies could provide therapeutic relief for patients who suffer from chronic inflammatory diseases.
