Health Rounds: Genetic discovery yields clues toward reversal of Alzheimer's brain damage
GILD•Researchers found that APOE4 can damage brain blood vessels and increase amyloid buildup, while blocking TGF-beta reversed related vascular damage in mice. The newsletter also reports early results for Gilead's anito-cel in multiple myeloma and a noninvasive method for studying senescent cells in mice.
1. APOE4 and brain vessels
Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai found that APOE4 can cause pericytes, which stabilize small blood vessels, to become scar-forming cells. This thickens vessels and increases amyloid accumulation. In mice, blocking TGF-beta protected pericytes and reversed APOE4-associated cerebrovascular degeneration.
2. Gilead cancer therapy
In a Phase 1 trial, all 38 patients with hard-to-treat or recurrent multiple myeloma who received Gilead's investigational CAR T-cell therapy anito-cel responded, and nearly 80% achieved a complete response. More than half had no disease progression after two years, and 65% were alive after three years. Researchers said serious immune-related and neurological side effects were uncommon; the results require confirmation in larger trials.
3. Studying aging cells
Researchers used Raman microscopy and genetic analysis to identify distinctive barcodes of senescent cells in mice without destroying them. They are working to adapt the method for human tissue. Senescent cells can contribute to age-related disorders but also have beneficial roles in embryonic development and tissue regeneration.
