Proteasomes are protein complexes that remove specific proteins that compromise cell survival. FIU’s Kyung Bo Kim has helped create drugs that interfere with this process in cancer cells to destroy them. Now Kim is studying immunoproteasome, a proteasome found in immune cells and tied to inflammatory responses. High levels have been found in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease.
Kim identified immunoproteasome inhibitor compounds that controlled inflammation. When tested on mouse models, cognitive function improved regardless of amyloid plaque buildup. “I feel like I’m in a new frontier of Alzheimer’s research — investigating immunoproteasome’s role in Alzheimer’s progression. Now we’re even closer to a drug that could be used ... to help patients.”
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