Using nanotechnology to promote immune tolerance in Multiple Sclerosis
Official title: Leveraging nanotechnology and skin delivery to drive selective immune tolerance for Multiple Sclerosis
Funded at Baltimore VA Medical Center · NIH-11064758 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to help people with Multiple Sclerosis by using tiny particles to improve how the body delivers signals that calm down the immune system, helping to protect the nerves from damage while still keeping the good parts of the immune response.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baltimore VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2020 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| NIH project number | 5IK2BX005061-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11064758 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis who are experiencing autoimmune symptoms related to myelin damage.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other neurological conditions or those who do not have an autoimmune component to their disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel approach to treating Multiple Sclerosis (MS) by utilizing nanotechnology to enhance the delivery of specific immune signals that promote tolerance to myelin, the protective sheath around nerve fibers. The study focuses on generating regulatory T cells (TREGS) that can selectively suppress the harmful immune responses targeting myelin, thereby reducing inflammation and preventing further damage. By combining a regulatory ligand with myelin self-antigen, the researchers aim to create a targeted therapy that preserves beneficial immunity while addressing the autoimmune aspects of MS.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to long-lasting treatments for Multiple Sclerosis that improve patient quality of life by reducing symptoms and preventing disease progression.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of using nanotechnology for immune modulation is innovative, similar strategies targeting immune tolerance in autoimmune diseases have shown promise in preliminary studies.
Where this research is happening
-
Baltimore VA Medical Center
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Oakes, Robert Smith — Baltimore VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Oakes, Robert Smith
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Promoting brain repair in MS with a natural compound that nudges neural stem cells
A researcher is testing a natural-product–based compound that may help people with multiple sclerosis repair nerve damage by guiding brain stem cells to become neurons and myelin-producing cells.
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Targeted B cell tolerance therapy for multiple sclerosis using Ace-DEX microparticles
A new therapy using tiny biopolymer particles given through the vein aims to retrain B cells to tolerate the immune system in people with multiple sclerosis.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.