Oral Nanoparticle-Encapsulated Bryostatin-1 Found Effective for Treating Cognitive Deficits in an Alzheimer’s disease Mouse Model

WOBURN, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aphios Corporation announced today its research demonstrated that orally-administered nanoparticle-encapsulated Bryostatin-1 activates α-secretase and PKC isoforms in vitro, and facilitates acquisition and retention of spatial learning in vivo in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) animal models have revealed neuroprotective actions of Bryostatin-1 mediated by activation of novel protein kinase C isoforms, suppression of beta-amyloid and downregulation of inflammatory and angiogenic events. This triple mechanism-of-action (MOA) makes Bryostatin-1 an attractive candidate for attenuating AD-associated neural, vascular and cognitive disturbances.

Research conducted in collaboration with researchers at LSUHSC, recently published in a peer-reviewed article in Current Alzheimer Research, 2020;17(14):1302-1310, found that nanoencapsulated Bryostatin-1 displayed pharmacological activity that surpassed that of naked Bryostatin-1 in PKC-δ and -ε activation and α-secretase assays.

Using a transgenic AD mouse model of AD, we next evaluated how treatment with nanoencapsulated Bryostatin-1 facilitated spatial learning in the Morris water maze. AD transgenic mice were treated with a nanoparticle encapsulated Bryostatin-1 three times the week before testing and then daily for five days of testing. Across the acquisition phase, we observed that mice treated with nanoencapsulated Bryostatin-1 had shorter latencies, increased time in the target zone and decreased time in the opposite quadrant. Mice were also given one day of retention testing after a 2-week period without drug. Mice treated with nanoencapsulated Bryostatin-1 had shorter latencies to find the escape platform, indicating both recovery of spatial memory during treatment and retention of spatial memory after treatment.

According to an author of the article and inventor of the nanoparticle technology, Dr. Trevor P. Castor of Aphios, “This data indicates that nanoparticle encapsulated formulations of Bryostatin-1 can be administered orally and is quite effective in treating cognitive deficits associated with AD.”

About LSU Health Sciences Center Shreveport: LSUHSC, www.lsuhscshreveport.edu, primary mission is to teach, heal and discover in order to advance the well-being of Louisiana State and beyond.

About Aphios Corporation: Aphios Corporation (www.aphios.com) is a clinical stage biotechnology company developing enhanced therapeutics for CNS disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease.

This research was in part funded by an SBIR Grant from the National Institute on Aging (NIA), NIH. The content of this release is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not represent the official views of NIA and NIH.