Branched Chain Fatty Acids Have Immune-Modulatory Effects

Technology Brief:

Branched-chain fatty acids (BCFAs) elicit a coordinated anti-inflammatory response across brain and peripheral derived immune cells, offering broad therapeutic potential. This technology is a method of promoting an anti-inflammatory and immune-modulatory effects in both the brain and periphery. Branched chain fatty acids (BCFAs) are delivered in targeted formulations to promote anti-inflammatory pathways. This method modulates immune and disease-associated pathways in peripheral and brain tissues.  

Technology

First, BCFAs (such as isobutyric acid, isovaleric acid, and 2-methylbutyric acid) are prepared as purified compounds, formulated in orally deliverable compositions, or combined with microorganisms that produce BCFAs. These compositions may include pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or be delivered as medical foods or dietary supplements. Once administered, BCFAs modulate immune and inflammatory pathways across multiple tissues—including the gut, peripheral organs, and brain— by suppressing disease-associated genes (e.g., Alzheimer’s- and Parkinson’s-related pathways) and pro-inflammatory molecules (e.g., interleukins) while enhancing anti-inflammatory markers and lipid/cholesterol homeostatic signals. This immune modulation provides means to target aberrant immune activation, inflammation, cholesterol homeostasis, and lipid dysregulation. BCFAs activate a shared anti-inflammatory signature across brain-derived and peripheral immune cells, highlighting their potential as a broadly applicable immune-modulatory mechanism.

Problem Addressed

This technology addresses disorders characterized by chronic inflammation and immune dysregulation, including neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune conditions, infectious disease, and metabolic disorders. A key challenge in these conditions is the lack of agents that can modulate inflammatory pathways across interconnected systems, including immune cells derived from the gut, periphery, and brain. By promoting anti-inflammatory signaling and restoring homeostatic pathways in these regions, the technology provides a targeted solution to reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines, normalize lipid metabolism, and mitigate tissue damage.

Advantages

• Promotes anti-inflammatory responses across multiple tissues—including the gut, brain and peripheral organs.
• Improves immune balance and metabolic health by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines and disease-associated gene pathways, while enhancing anti-inflammatory and homeostatic markers.
• Offers versatile delivery options, including purified compounds, oral formulations, and engineered microorganisms that produce BCFAs.
• Applicable across multiple disorders such as neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune conditions, infectious disease, and metabolic disorders characterized by chronic inflammation.
• Demonstrates a coordinated, cross-tissue anti-inflammatory signature across key immune populations, supporting broad therapeutic applicability.