Madison Reporter

A newly developed nanomaterial that mimics the behavior of proteins could revolutionize the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and ALS. The innovative research, published in the journal Advanced Materials, is a result of collaboration between scientists at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and nanomaterial engineers at Northwestern University.

According to Jeffrey Johnson, a professor at the UW–Madison School of Pharmacy, the nanomaterial targets two key proteins in brain cells, Nrf2 and Keap1, to combat oxidative stress and potentially offer therapeutic benefits. Johnson, along with his wife Delinda Johnson, a senior scientist at the pharmacy school, has been studying Nrf2 as a promising target for treating neurodegenerative diseases for years. He emphasized the importance of this research, stating, "It’s hard to get drugs into the brain, but it’s also been very hard to find drugs that activate Nrf2 without a lot of off-target effects."

The nanomaterial, known as a protein-like polymer, or PLP, is designed to bind to proteins like a natural protein would. Nathan Gianneschi, a professor at Northwestern University, led the team in developing this synthetic material. The PLP is specifically structured to alter the interaction between Nrf2 and Keap1, crucial proteins in combating oxidative stress in brain cells.

Delinda Johnson expressed the significance of collaboration in this research, stating, "Getting expertise from Northwestern and then advancing the biological side here at UW shows that these types of collaborations are really important." The successful initial results in cell cultures have paved the way for further research in mouse models of neurodegenerative diseases.

Jeffrey Johnson, initially skeptical about the PLP approach, was pleasantly surprised by its effectiveness. He shared, "We really dove into it then." The research demonstrated that the nanomaterial efficiently bound to Keap1, allowing Nrf2 to enhance its antioxidant function without causing unwanted side effects.

The collaboration between the University of Wisconsin–Madison and Northwestern University exemplifies the potential of interdisciplinary research in advancing medical treatments. The promising results of this study offer hope for the development of new therapies for neurodegenerative diseases that affect millions worldwide.