Immunomodulatory nanoparticles prevent secondary damage after traumatic brain injury

A new study published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Neurotrauma shows that intravenous administration of immunomodulatory nanoparticles after traumatic brain injury (TBI) can limit the development of an inflammatory cascade that typically leads to substantial secondary damage. The nanoparticles limited inflammatory cell infiltration and reduced both behavioral decline and lesion size without any noticeable toxicity in mice. Click here to read the article now.

John Kessler, MD, from Northwestern University, and coauthors, demonstrated that there is a dose-response relationship between the amount of immunomodulatory nanoparticle administered and tissue damage. “There is a therapeutic window of efficacy for nanoparticle administration of at least 6 hours after injury with some benefit observed when treatment was delayed for 12 hours after injury,” stated the investigators.

“Immunomodulatory nanoparticles are non-toxic and are made of an FDA-approved material that is stable at room temperature,” stated the investigators. “They could easily be given intravenously immediately after TBI on the field by emergency medical technicians or in the emergency room to prevent secondary damage, thereby improving outcome.”

“This is an intriguing paper from Dr. Bertossi and colleagues. Immunomodulatory nanoparticles are a relatively new class of candidate therapeutics and we should all read this paper carefully. I was especially pleased to see that the therapeutic window extended out to at least 6 hours in the mouse controlled cortical impact injury model. Blinding and randomization were solid and statistical power calculations were used to determine sample size, in concordance with best transparency, rigor and reproducibility practices. We're all looking forward to seeing what happens next,” says David L. Brody, MD, PhD, Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Neurotrauma.

About the Journal
Journal of Neurotrauma is an authoritative peer-reviewed journal published 24 times per year in print and online that focuses on the latest advances in the clinical and laboratory investigation of traumatic brain and spinal cord injury. Papers and reviews focus on clinical trials, fluid biomarkers, imaging, clinical studies, pathophysiological mechanisms, translational therapeutics, and biomechanics. Journal of Neurotrauma is the official journal of the National Neurotrauma Society and the International Neurotrauma Society. Complete tables of content and a sample issue may be viewed on the Journal of Neurotrauma website.

About the Publisher
Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. is a global media company dedicated to creating, curating, and delivering impactful peer-reviewed research and authoritative content services to advance the fields of biotechnology and the life sciences, specialized clinical medicine, and public health and policy. For complete information, please visit the Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. website.