How A Parasitic Fish Could Help Us Fight Brain Cancer And Stroke

Lampreys are one of the oldest surviving species of eel-like jawless fish

ISLAMABAD (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / Online -) Lampreys are one of the oldest surviving species of eel-like jawless fish. They populate both rivers and coastal sea waters in temperate regions around the world.These strange-looking fish are rendered particularly uncanny by their boneless, tooth-lined mouth.

They are also parasitic, feeding on the blood of other fish.New research suggests that these aquatic-dwellers may provide an adaptable vehicle for drugs that treat the biological effects of conditions or health events affecting the brain.A recent study, conducted by a team of scientists from University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Texas at Austin, has looked at a type of molecule from the immune system of lampreys, called “variable lymphocyte receptors” (VLRs).The researchers explain that what makes VLRs interesting is their ability to target the extracellular matrix (ECM), a network of macromolecules that provide structure to the cells they surround.This network makes up a large part of the central nervous system, so the research team believes that VLRs can help carry drugs to the brain, boosting the effectiveness of treatments for brain cancer, brain trauma, orstroke.

The researchers tested their hypothesis on mouse models of aggressive brain cancer, and they report their results in the journal Science Advances.Normally, drugs will not easily penetrate the brain because it is protected by the brain-blood barrier, which stops potentially harmful agents leaking into the brain.

However, this barrier also prevents the medication from reaching its target.In the case of some health events that affect the brain, the brain-blood barrier “loosens up,” which can expose the brain to further problems but also allows drugs to get in.In the current research, the investigators were interested in testing the effectiveness of VLRs, taking advantage of the disruption of the brain-blood barrier in the case of glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.”Molecules like this [VLRs] normally couldn’t ferry cargo into the brain, but anywhere there’s a blood-brain barrier disruption, they can deliver drugs right to the site of pathology,” explains Prof.

Shusta