Researchers at FAMU-FSU College of Engineering develop groundbreaking microparticles to study protein breakdown and immune system functions more effectively
Florida – Scientists at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering have pioneered a groundbreaking method for analyzing how immune cells degrade proteins. By engineering specialized microparticles, researchers can now observe protein degradation in real-time, opening new doors for studying immune responses and developing treatments for diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, and autoimmune disorders.
This innovative work, published in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, sheds new light on phagocytosis—the process by which immune cells engulf and break down harmful substances. Despite its critical role in immunity, the exact mechanisms of how proteins degrade within immune cells have long remained unclear.
New Approach to Studying Protein Breakdown
Traditionally, researchers have relied on tiny plastic and silica beads coated with proteins to study phagocytosis. However, these methods have significant limitations, as each bead can only hold a single layer of protein, and the beads themselves play no active role beyond providing a surface.
The FAMU-FSU research team, led by Professor Jingjiao Guan of the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, has overcome these limitations by developing microparticles that more closely mimic biological structures. These particles are composed of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM), a polymer known for its unique responsiveness to temperature and other conditions.
“There is a lot we still don’t know about how cells ingest and eliminate tissue debris or pathogens—the process of phagocytosis,” said Guan. “Through this study, we hope to provide a new tool to help scientists better understand this process.”
By incorporating proteins and peptides into these microparticles in a well-defined layered structure, scientists can better mimic real-life biological interactions. This enables them to study how immune cells break down proteins and process them into phagosome-derived vesicles (PDVs).
Implications for Medicine and Disease Research
This research carries significant potential for improving treatments for numerous diseases. Understanding how proteins degrade in immune cells can lead to advancements in therapies for cancer, neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s, and autoimmune diseases.
One of the most exciting aspects of this study is its application to Alzheimer’s disease. The next step for the researchers is to use their engineered microparticles to examine the degradation of amyloid beta peptides—a protein strongly linked to the progression of Alzheimer’s. This could offer critical insights into the disease and potentially lead to new treatment strategies.
“Knowing where proteins go and how much they are degraded when they undergo phagocytosis within cells is key to understanding this process,” Guan explained.
Additionally, these findings could be crucial for understanding how immune cells respond to cancerous cells and other harmful substances. By refining this approach, researchers could develop more effective therapies that harness the immune system’s natural defense mechanisms.
Collaboration and Future Research
This project was made possible through collaboration between the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering and the FSU College of Medicine. The interdisciplinary nature of the study has allowed for a deeper understanding of immune responses at the intersection of engineering and medicine.
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“Collaborating with Dr. Guan has been an exciting opportunity to bridge engineering and medicine,” said Yi Ren, a professor at the College of Medicine and a co-author of the study. “This innovative approach to studying immune cell behavior is a significant step toward understanding disease mechanisms at a deeper level.”
The research team is actively seeking grants to expand their studies and explore additional applications of these engineered microparticles. Because these particles can incorporate any protein or peptide that can be purified and dissolved in water, they have broad potential for use in various biological studies.
One area of interest is comparing how different immune cells break down proteins and peptides in phagosomes. This type of large-scale analysis has not yet been performed, but it is now possible thanks to this new technology. By continuing to refine their methods, the researchers hope to uncover new ways to treat immune-related and neurodegenerative diseases.
A Step Forward in Disease Understanding
The success of this study underscores the importance of interdisciplinary research and the need for innovative tools in studying complex biological processes. The ability to track protein degradation within immune cells with such precision marks a significant advancement in immunology and medical research.
“Working alongside Dr. Guan has been an incredibly rewarding experience,” said doctoral candidate and paper co-author Masahiro Fukuda. “Our study provides new insights that have the potential to transform how we understand and treat various diseases.”
Other contributors to this study included researchers from both the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering and the FSU College of Medicine: Grace Lin, Sailesti Joshi, Yang Liu, Grace Hammel, Abigail Kizer, and Maryam Ayazi.
This research was supported by the National Institutes of Health, highlighting the significance of this work in advancing scientific knowledge and medical innovation. As the team continues to explore new applications of their engineered microparticles, their work has the potential to drive meaningful progress in the fight against diseases that affect millions worldwide.
