GUWAHATI: Engineers at the University of California San Diego have created a groundbreaking pill that releases microscopic robots, or micro robots, into the colon to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This experimental oral treatment has shown promising results in mice, significantly reducing IBD symptoms and promoting healing of damaged colon tissue without toxic side effects. The study was published on June 26 in Science Robotics.
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IBD, an autoimmune disorder characterised by chronic inflammation of the gut, affects millions worldwide, causing severe abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, diarrhea, weight loss, and other debilitating symptoms. It occurs when immune cells, known as macrophages, become overly activated and produce excessive levels of inflammation-causing proteins called pro-inflammatory cytokines. These cytokines bind to receptors on macrophages, triggering a cycle of inflammation that leads to the severe symptoms of IBD. Researchers have now developed a treatment that successfully keeps these cytokine levels in check.
A team led by Liangfang Zhang and Joseph Wang, both professors in the Aiiso Yufeng Li Family Department of Chemical and Nano Engineering at UC San Diego, engineered microrobots composed of inflammation-fighting nanoparticles chemically attached to green algae cells. The nanoparticles absorb and neutralize pro-inflammatory cytokines in the gut. Meanwhile, the green algae use their natural swimming abilities to efficiently distribute the nanoparticles throughout the colon, accelerating cytokine removal to help heal inflamed tissue.
"The beauty of this approach is that it's drug-free -- we just leverage the natural cell membrane to absorb and neutralize pro-inflammatory cytokines," said Zhang.
The researchers ensured that their biohybrid microrobots meet rigorous safety standards. The nanoparticles are made of biocompatible materials, and the green algae cells used in this study are recognized as safe for consumption by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The microrobots are packed inside a liquid capsule with a pH-responsive coating. This coating remains intact in the acidic environment of the stomach acid but dissolves upon reaching the neutral pH of the colon, ensuring that the microrobots are selectively released where they are needed most.
"We can direct the microrobots to the diseased location without affecting other organs," said Wang. "In this way, we can minimise toxicity."
The capsule was administered orally to mice afflicted with IBD. The treatment reduced fecal bleeding, improved stool consistency, reversed IBD-induced weight loss, and reduced inflammation in the colon, all without apparent side effects. The research team is now focusing on translating their microrobot treatment into clinical studies.
Ulcerative Colitis, Crohns Disease, and Diverticulitis are some major types of IBD. IBD usually deemed uncurable has treatment options like mesalamine, corticosteroids and immunosuppressants which usually only work for a certain period of time, with many then having to resorting to bowel surgeries over a period of time, at times debilitating their quality of life.