VEGF for the Treatment of Peripheral Nerve Damage
- 詳細技術說明
- This invention provides methods to treatdamage to the peripheral nervous system (PNS) using vascular endothelial growthfactor (VEGF)-B alone or together with VEGF-A.
- *Abstract
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Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-B isknown as an angiogenic factor and also provides neuroprotection and improvessurvival in central nervous system. However, its actions on the peripheralnervous system have been less characterized.
Cornell inventors have studied the effects ofVEGF-B on the peripheral nerve repair and demonstrate that: (1) VEGF-B isrequired for normal nerve regeneration; (2) VEGF-B induces extensive dendritegrowth and branching in neurons, which was distinct from VEGF-A; (3) VEGF-Btreatment increases nerve regeneration, sensation recovery and trophicfunctions of injured corneal peripheral nerves without affecting uninjurednerves or inducing unwanted neovascularization.
The relative inactivity of VEGF-B on intactneurons, its lack of significant angiogenic activity and its potent action inrestoring PNS function to damaged tissues make VEGF-B an important therapeutictarget for treating injured peripheral nerves.
The inventors have also observed greaterneuronal growth when VEGF-A is used in combination with VEGF-B. In mice, the combinatorial treatment resultsin improved neuro-regeneration of peripheral nerves, with concomitant recoveryof sensation and trophic functions.
These studies demonstrate that VEGF-B orVEGF-B plus VEGF-A are suitable for the treatment of nerve damage. The damagemay be trauma caused by accident, surgery, a neurotoxin, or a neurodegenerativedisease.
Potential Applications
Therapeuticsfor PNS damage caused by accident, surgery, a neurotoxin, or a neurodegenerativedisease. VEGF could be administered as proteins or via gene therapy.
- *Licensing
- Vibhu Sachdev(212) 746-6187sachdev@cornell.edu
- 其他
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Pan Z, et al. Vascularendothelial growth factor promotes anatomical and functional recovery ofinjured peripheral nerves in the avascular cornea. FASEB J. 2013Jul;27(7):2756-67. doi: 10.1096/fj.12-225185. Epub 2013 Apr 8. PMID: 23568776
- 國家/地區
- 美國
