Stem Cell Factor (SCF) Stimulates Neural Stem Cell Migration to Sites of Brain and Spinal Cord Injury
Description of Invention:
Endogenous neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) have recently been recognized to hold the promise for therapeutics to combat neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. Endogenous NSPCs have been shown to generate new functional neurons to replace the nerve cells that have been injured, lost, or destroyed in the diseases and recover brain functions. Such therapy, however, is limited due to lack of methods to mobilize endogenous NSPCs to the site of injury.
The present invention relates to methods for recruiting large numbers of NSPC to the specific site of neurological injury through local injection of recombinant or genetic vector-derived Stem Cell Factor (SCF). The inventors have identified that SCF secreted by nerve cells in the site of injury leads to migration of endogenous NSPCs to the site of injury and their proliferation to form neurons. The inventors have shown that local injection of recombinant SCF at the site of brain or spinal cord injury induces increased migration of NSPCs to the site of injury. Therefore, this invention could have significant commercial application in the development of therapeutic interventions including cell-based therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.
Inventors:
Howard A. Fine et al. (NCI)
Patent Status:
DHHS Reference No. E-035-2004/0 --
U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/525,760 filed 26 Nov 2003
DHHS Reference No. E-035-2004/2 --
PCT Application No. PCT/US2004/039376 filed 22 Nov 2004, which published as WO 2005/053729 on 16 Jun 2005
DHHS Reference No. E-035-2004/3 --
U.S. Patent Application No. 11/440,173 filed 24 May 2006
Portfolios: Central Nervous System
Central Nervous System -Therapeutics-Neurological Therapeutics Central Nervous System -Therapeutics
For Additional Information Please Contact: Fatima Sayyid M.H.P.M.
NIH Office of Technology Transfer
6011 Executive Blvd, Suite 325
Rockville, MD 20852-3804
Phone: (301) 435-4521
Email: sayyidf@mail.nih.gov
Fax: (301) 402-0220
