The bacterium Chlamydia pneumoniae (green) in the olfactory bulb area of the front of the brain. Beta amyloid peptide (red) accumulates around the germs.
While this germs often triggers breathing system infections, it has actually also been found in the brain which has raised the concern of whether it triggers damage to the main nerve system.
The research study group has actually carried out comprehensive research study in animal designs to show not only how the bacteria gets into the brain, but also how it causes Alzheimers illness pathologies.
” Our work has actually formerly revealed that numerous various species of germs can rapidly, within 24 hours, go into the central nervous system via peripheral nerves extending between the nasal cavity and the brain,” Associate Professor Ekberg said.
” With this background knowledge we had the ability to track how this new bacterium, Chlamydia pneumoniae can also slip past the blood-brain barrier and rapidly get in the brain.”
The new research study reveals that once the bacteria remain in the main nerve system, the cells of the brain react within days by depositing beta amyloid peptide, the trademark plaque of Alzheimers illness.
After a number of weeks, many gene pathways that are known to be associated with Alzheimers disease are likewise significantly activated.
Associate Professor Jenny Ekberg, Clem Jones Centre for Neurobiology and Stem Cell Research.
The research study also showed that when the germs get into the olfactory nerve, peripheral afferent neuron (glial cells), end up being contaminated and these cells might be how the germs can persist within the nervous system.
” These cells are usually crucial protectors against bacteria, however in this case, they become contaminated and can assist the bacteria to spread,” Associate Professor Ekberg said.
” We have suspected for a very long time that germs, and even infections, can result in neuroinflammation and add to initiation of Alzheimers illness, however, the germs alone might not suffice to cause disease in someone. Possibly it requires the combination of a genetic susceptibility plus the germs to cause Alzheimers illness in the long term.
” Now that we have this new proof, it gives us the drive to urgently find treatments to stop this contributing aspect to Alzheimers illness.
While the studies were carried out in mice, people have the very same nerves and can be contaminated by the exact same germs, so the scientists believe the outcomes are translatable to people.
” We are currently working on treatment options. With the Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, we are determining prospective drugs that can assist the glial cells to destroy the bacteria which are currently in the brain.
” In addition, Professor Ken Beagley at QUT is dealing with a vaccine versus Chlamydia which might decrease the ability of the pathogen to enter the brain”.
Referral: “Chlamydia pneumoniae can infect the central nerve system through the trigeminal and olfactory nerves and contributes to Alzheimers illness threat” by Anu Chacko, Ali Delbaz, Heidi Walkden, Souptik Basu, Charles W. Armitage, Tanja Eindorf, Logan K. Trim, Edith Miller, Nicholas P. West, James A. St John, Kenneth W. Beagley and Jenny A. K. Ekberg, 17 February 2022, Scientific Reports.DOI: 10.1038/ s41598-022-06749-9.
The study, released in the journal, Scientific Reports, was moneyed by the Clem Jones Foundation, the Goda Foundation, the Australian Research Council and the Menzies Health Institute Queensland.
The bacterium Chlamydia pneumoniae (green) in the olfactory bulb area of the front of the brain. Beta amyloid peptide (red) builds up around the germs. Blue suggests nuclei of cells of the brain. Credit: Griffith University
New research study from Griffith University has actually shown that a bacterium typically present in the nose can sneak into the brain and set off a cascade of occasions that might cause Alzheimers illness.
Associate Professor Jenny Ekberg and coworkers from the Clem Jones Centre for Neurobiology and Stem Cell Research at Menzies Health Institute Queensland and Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, in partnership with Queensland University of Innovation, have discovered that the bacterium Chlamydia pneumoniae can attack the brain via the nerves of the nasal cavity.