Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has secured a three-year $4.5 million funding from the Carol and Gene Ludwig Family Foundation, focusing on enhancing research in neuroimmunology and neurodegeneration with the primary aim of discovering new therapies for Alzheimer’s disease. Managed by WashU Medicine’s Brain Immunology & Glia (BIG) Center, the Carol and Gene Ludwig Initiative in Neuroimmunology Research will aid groundbreaking initiatives led by David M. Holtzman, MD; Jonathan Kipnis, PhD; and Marco Colonna, MD, along with other faculty members via a seed grant scheme.
“This recognition highlights remarkably stimulating and innovative efforts in the field of neuroimmunology at WashU Medicine,” stated David H. Perlmutter, MD, the George and Carol Bauer Dean of WashU Medicine, executive vice chancellor for medical affairs, and the Spencer T. and Ann W. Olin Distinguished Professor. “Support from the Ludwig Foundation will expedite breakthroughs in comprehending the relationship between the brain and the immune system, enabling us to leverage that insight to pinpoint new targets for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and potentially the prevention of dementia. This endeavor exemplifies the unique collaborative spirit at WashU that unites physicians and researchers from various fields to accomplish more collectively.”
Holtzman, the Barbara Burton and Reuben M. Morriss III Distinguished Professor of Neurology, contributed to the comprehension of the immune system’s role in Alzheimer’s disease, in findings published in Nature in 2023. The brain’s resident immune cells — microglia — were previously associated with damaging brain tissue. The Holtzman lab discovered that microglia interact with another immune cell type — T cells — that facilitate their entry into the brain and their contribution to neurodegeneration in a mouse model. Their research highlighted that the elimination of T cells from the brain averts brain injury and cognitive decline.
The Carol and Gene Ludwig Initiative in Neuroimmunology Research will facilitate an exhaustive examination of the mechanisms responsible for activating and enlisting a subset of detrimental T cells to the brain, contributing to disease onset.
“We understand that an unbalanced immune response may play a role in the development of neurodegenerative disease,” Holtzman remarked. “A thorough understanding of the immune participants and their interactions will empower us to identify and evaluate therapeutic targets to halt the advancement of neurodegeneration.”
Colonna, the Robert Rock Belliveau, MD, Professor of Pathology, in collaboration with Holtzman’s laboratory, will investigate innovative treatments that enhance microglia’s capacity to engulf amyloid protein plaques that accumulate in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. In a study published in Science Translational Medicine, Colonna and Holtzman demonstrated that activating microglia by releasing their natural restraints is a promising approach for eliminating the harmful plaques that accumulate and lead to cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s. The funding will allow them to progress this strategy toward therapeutic evaluation.
Kipnis, the Alan A. and Edith L. Wolff Distinguished Professor of Pathology & Immunology and a BJC Investigator, investigates the connections between the immune system and the central nervous system. Research conducted in his laboratory published in Nature has revealed that the drainage system in the brain physically links the immune system and the central nervous system, creating opportunities to examine neuroimmune interactions throughout disease progression and in healthy states. The new grant will support Kipnis’s efforts to engineer immune cells to halt or prevent neurodegeneration in mouse models of Alzheimer’s.
“These investigations could revolutionize the treatment of Alzheimer’s,” expressed Kipnis, the inaugural director of the BIG Center. “We aspire to develop immunotherapies for Alzheimer’s that can be customized for each patient, while also expanding this research into other age-related central nervous system disorders.”
The initiative will also allocate seed grants — the Carol and Gene Ludwig Awards for Neuroimmunology Research — administered by the BIG Center’s leadership team. Each year, two applicants will be chosen for three years, with $200,000 awarded annually.
The Carol and Gene Ludwig Family Foundation has previously contributed funding to WashU Medicine, including backing for Holtzman and Kipnis. Established in 2002, this charitable private foundation invests in entities that expedite medical and scientific innovation, provide educational and economic opportunities for youth, and fortify communities.
“We trust our support will drive progress in neurodegenerative research,” stated Carol Ludwig, co-founder and president of the Carol and Gene Ludwig Family Foundation. “The exceptional efforts of Drs. Holtzman, Kipnis, and Colonna, combined with the extensive expertise at WashU Medicine, cultivates a remarkable environment for advancing research and nurturing talent in this domain.”
About Washington University School of Medicine
WashU Medicine stands as a pioneer in academic medicine, including biomedical investigation, patient treatment, and educational initiatives with 2,900 faculty members. Its National Institutes of Health (NIH) research funding portfolio ranks second among U.S. medical schools and has surged by 56% over the last seven years. Alongside institutional investment, WashU Medicine dedicates over $1 billion annually to pioneering basic and clinical research and training. Its faculty practice consistently ranks among the top five in the nation, with more than 1,900 faculty physicians serving at 130 locations, also functioning as medical staff for Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children’s hospitals of BJC HealthCare. WashU Medicine has a rich legacy in MD/PhD training, having recently committed $100 million to scholarships and curriculum enhancements for its medical students, and boasts premier training programs across all medical subspecialties as well as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and audiology and communication sciences.
Initially published on the WashU Medicine website
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