Methods to improve phagocytosis for treatment of age-related diseases

Stanford researchers have patented methods to improve phagocytosis, the process by which macrophages clear protein aggregates, dying cells, and debris, to treat age-related diseases. This clearance process deteriorates with aging and in diseases like Alzheimer's, macular degeneration, and cancer. In Alzheimer's, microglia fail to remove extracellular plaques efficiently, leading to inflammation and cognitive decline. The researchers found that blocking CD22 restores microglial phagocytosis, reverses neuroinflammatory gene signatures, and improves cognitive function in aged mice. This technology provides a potential treatment for improving phagocytosis and treating multiple age-related diseases.

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