Methods to improve phagocytosis for treatment of age-related diseases

Stanford researchers have developed methods of improving phagocytosis to treat age-related diseases. The clearance of protein aggregates, dying cells, and debris is accomplished by the immune system's professional eater, the macrophage, via a process termed phagocytosis. This phagocytic clearance process deteriorates with normal aging and with multiple age-related diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, macular degeneration, and cancer. For instance, in Alzheimer's disease, extracellular plaques are not efficiently removed by microglia, the brain-resident macrophages, and their accumulation can cause inflammation and subsequent cognitive decline. Thus, methods to restore phagocytosis in aged macrophages and microglia may help treat these diseases. This technology provides such methods. The inventors have found that blocking CD22 restores microglial phagocytosis, reverses neuroinflammatory gene signatures, and improves cognitive function in aged mice. This technology provides the potential to improve phagocytosis and thus treat multiple age-related diseases.

Stage of research
The inventors have shown that blocking CD22 rescues phagocytosis in aged microglia. Further therapeutic development is ongoing.