This research program has successfully spun-out into a company! Visit the Cyclarity Therapeutics website for more information on their transformative approach to atherosclerosis.
SENS Research Foundation Research Center
Principal Investigator: Matthew O’Connor
Research Team: Amelia Anderson, Carolyn Barnes, Angielyn Campo, Anne Corwin, Sirish Narayanan
Many diseases of aging are driven in part by the accumulation of “junk inside cells:” stubborn, damaged waste products derived from the metabolic processes particular to specific cell types. The accumulation of these wastes disables the cell type in question and leads to their dysfunction; when, after decades of silent accrual, a critical number of these cells become dysfunctional, diseases of aging characteristic of that tissue erupt. For example, atherosclerotic lesions form when immune cells called macrophages take in 7-ketocholesterol (7-KC) and other damaged cholesterol byproducts in an effort to protect the arterial wall from their toxicity, only to ultimately fall prey to that same toxicity themselves. These macrophages – now dysfunctional “foam cells” – become immobilized in the arterial wall and spew off inflammatory molecules that in turn promote advanced atherosclerosis, heart attack, and stroke. In other organs, the accumulation of damaged molecules inside vulnerable cells drives Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, as well as age-related macular degeneration.
Dr. O’Connor’s team have identified a family of small molecules that may be able to selectively remove toxic forms of cholesterol from early foam cells and other cells in the blood. If effective, these small molecules could serve as the basis for a groundbreaking therapy that would prevent and potentially reverse atherosclerosis and, possibly, heart failure.
Research Highlights:
A lead compound was identified following evaluation of data from human blood sample tests in conjunction with computer modeling to predict the likely behavior of rationally-designed molecules. Preliminary testing has indicated performance consistent with enhanced activity relative to the existing family of compounds: specifically, the candidate molecules exhibit selective targeting of toxic cholesterol byproducts, with significantly reduced affinity for native cholesterol. A patent application for this lead compound and others to be derived from it has now been submitted.
The team is now working to refine their original assay with the expectation that it will more accurately reflect the desired activity on toxic and native cholesterol, and also on an entirely different chemical approach to improved molecules derived from the original family. We are also working with a potential contract laboratory to test the absorption, circulation to tissues, and disposal of our lead candidate, and to perform toxicity assays. SRF has recently acquired a new robotic system to run the assay, which our in-house engineer, Anne Corwin, is now working to set up and program; the end result will be an increase in throughput that allows more rapid testing of more molecules.
