Anti-inflammatory Stroke Therapy Development Services

Stroke-induced inflammatory processes, including both innate and adaptive immune mechanisms, are a response to tissue damage due to lack of blood supply. Inflammation is considered a key factor in all stages of stroke development, from occlusion in the acute phase to repair after ischemia. On the one hand, inflammation is a defense response that eliminates toxic substances and limits their harmful effects. On the other hand, persistent inflammation damages neurons and the blood-brain barrier (BBB) during cerebral infarction, injuring tissues and worsening functional outcomes. In addition, the immune response is closely related to the regulation of inflammation in the onset and progression of ischemic stroke. Based on these pathophysiologic mechanisms, a variety of interventions targeting systemic inflammation have been shown to mitigate neurological damage.

Fig. 1. Inflammatory signaling in ischemic stroke. (Carter, et al., 2000)

Our Anti-inflammatory Stroke Therapy Development Services

Ace Therapeutics is a leading provider of preclinical CRO services in the field of stroke, helping clients develop anti-inflammatory therapies. Our services cover all preclinical phases of stroke drug discovery and development, from target identification to preclinical testing. Our team consists of experts from various fields, including neuroscience, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, and bioinformatics, and actively collaborates with academic institutions and biopharmaceutical companies to advance your stroke drug development program.

Based on the analysis of the role of immune and inflammatory mechanisms in ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke, Ace Therapeutics employs a multifaceted approach to help clients develop stroke drugs that target inflammatory responses and immune cells.

Our Strategies for Anti-inflammatory Therapy Development

Identification and Screening of Immune Cells and Inflammatory Pathways Associated with Stroke

• Quantitative and phenotypic analysis of infiltrating immune cell subsets (e.g., T cells, microglia, neutrophils) by flow cytometry.
• Cytokine/chemokine multiplex assays for the analysis of inflammatory mediator secretion.
• Transcriptome analysis (e.g., RNA-seq) to identify dysregulated immune-related genes and signaling pathways.
• Prioritization of potential targets based on their impact on tissue damage, inflammation, and impaired recovery.
• Key targets may include pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6), chemokines (e.g., CCL2, CXCL1, CXCL10), and immune checkpoint molecules (e.g., PD-1/PD-L1, CTLA-4).

In Vitro Screening

We offer a variety of in vitro assays to evaluate the effects of anti-inflammatory stroke therapy on immune cells and inflammatory cytokines.

• Cell proliferation, activation, and polarization assays
• Cytokine/chemokine secretion assays
• Mechanistic studies (e.g., receptor binding, signaling pathway analysis)

Proof-of-Concept Studies in Animal Stroke Models

We establish well-characterized animal models of stroke, such as the rodent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) models, to evaluate the efficacy and safety of anti-inflammatory stroke therapies. We use the following techniques to assess the effects on infarct size, neurological function, and long-term recovery.

• MRI to quantify lesion volume.
• Behavioral testing to assess neurological deficits.
• Histological analysis to assess tissue damage and repair.
• Characterizing the temporal dynamics of the post-stroke immune response using flow cytometry, cytokine/chemokine assays, and transcriptomics.
• Optimizing therapeutic interventions including dose, timing of administration, and delivery strategies.

Ace Therapeutics' multi-stage approach combines target identification, preclinical model development, in vitro screening, and proof-of-concept studies, allowing for a comprehensive evaluation of promising anti-inflammatory therapies for stroke. If you are interested in our services, please do not hesitate to contact us!

1. Cao, Y., et al. (2023). Neuroinflammation and anti-inflammatory therapy for ischemic stroke. Heliyon.