Pleiotrophin is a Neurotrophic Factor for Spinal Motor Neurons and Dorsal Root Ganglion

This invention utilizes pleiotrophin (PTN), a growth factor of the cytokine family, as a neurotrophic factor for both the motor and the sensory neurons of the PNS. In animal and tissue culture models, PTN has been shown to protect motor and sensory neurons from death and promote regeneration of their axons. Background Chronic neurodegenerative illnesses that affect the peripheral nervous system (PNS) such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Charcoat-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease or neuropathies such as diabetic neuropathy are currently untreatable. Various growth factors that may act as neurotrophic factors are being developed for the treatment of these neurodegenerative diseases, however none of the available neurotrophic factors have been shown to be effective in treating these illnesses. Description (Set) Proposed Use (Set) This invention is designed to be a therapeutic approach to treat strokes and injuries of the nervous system. However it may also apply to chronic neurodegenerative diseases because many of the underlying mechanisms of damage to neural tissues are similar. Furthermore, recombinant human PTN has the potential to be developed as a therapeutic tool for a variety of neurodegerative illnesses affecting PNS. The recombinant human PTN can be developed as either an injectable therapy or gene based therapy package in a viral or non viral delivery vehicle.

Inventor(s): Hoke, Ahmet

Type of Offer: Licensing



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