Research

Life Sciences & Biotechnology

Title :

Investigations into the tetanus toxoid mediated regulation of neural stem cells derived hippocampal regenerative plasticity through extracellular vesicles in experimental models: A biomedical implication for a non-invasive paradigm to alleviate cognitive impairments

Area of research :

Life Sciences & Biotechnology

Focus area :

Neurology

Principal Investigator :

Dr. Mahesh Kandasamy, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu

Timeline Start Year :

2024

Timeline End Year :

2027

Contact info :

Details

Executive Summary :

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a crucial role in maintaining neuronal integrity and intercellular communication. However, in pathogenic conditions, they carry various molecular determinants and misfolded proteins associated with neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders. The Hippocampus, the primary region of neurogenesis, is affected by abnormal neurotransmitter release, imbalanced neurotrophic factors, and circulating pathogenic EVs. Disruption in neurogenesis has been hypothesized to countersign neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Multiple sclerosis. Therapeutic Tetanus toxoid (TT) is a FDA-approved vaccine that rehabilitates tetanus neurotoxin (TeNT) by treating it with formaldehyde and lysine. TT can block neurotransmitter release from inhibitory interneurons and regulate inflammatory cytokines, potentially helping to counteract inflammatory-related disorders like Multiple sclerosis. The proposed study aims to assess TT's effect on pathogenicity and hippocampal plasticity in both in vivo and in vitro conditions in control and disease conditions like Multiple sclerosis. The study will examine the modulation of cognitive, depression, and anxiety-related behaviors in experimental animals, the regulation of hippocampal neuroregenerative plasticity, and the fate determination of neural stem cells in vitro using live cell imaging and co immunofluorescence techniques.

Co-PI:

Dr. Anusuyadevi Muthuswamy, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu

Total Budget (INR):

34,25,560

Organizations involved