Cell Band-Aids could treat disease

Maxx Kirley, 12, gets so exhausted walking across his school that he cant participate in gym class once he gets there. He has Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a disease that weakens his muscles.

But University research on certain poloxamers, named molecular Band-Aids, could provide a treatment option for Kirley. The groups of compounds can mend muscle cells with no side effects.

University researchers are trying to apply these molecular Band-Aids to muscular dystrophy and heart disease, and are planning to start a clinical trial once they decide on the best version of the molecule to use.

Having Duchenne muscular dystrophy means that Kirley lacks a large protein called dystrophin in his muscle cells. In healthy individuals, dystrophin absorbs the impact of everyday activities so that muscle cells can repair damage quickly, said Dr. Peter Karachunski, a pediatric neurologist at Amplatz Childrens Hospital.

Without the protein, muscles deteriorate over time and even walking is strenuous, he said. The disease can lead to damage in almost every body system, and the life expectancy of a patient is about 20 years.

He, first and foremost, is just a 12-year-old boy, Maxxs mother Terri Kirley said. Hes very smart, hes a student and he wants to go to college someday.

Without dystrophin, muscle cell membranes can break. And without a sturdy membrane, damaging enzymes can leak into or out of cells.

Molecular Band-Aids have two sticky ends that are attracted to the edges of the membrane surrounding a break, and a middle part that is attracted to the inside of the membrane. The molecule sits on top of the cell membrane, like a Band-Aid does on a cut, and prevents leakage, said Evelyne Houang, one of the University researchers working with molecular Band-Aids.

Poloxamers were initially created for industrial use as a molecule similar to plastic. The transition to research on molecular Band-Aids began in the early 2000s, Houang said. The University entered the research about eight years ago.

Any treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a step up from a couple decades ago when there was no treatment available, Karachunski said.

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Cell Band-Aids could treat disease