Controlled Release of Novel Agents at Peripheral Nerve Injury Sites Using Peptide Nanotubes
Project ID: D2015-28 Invention Description:There are many neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury (TBI) that cause axon atrophy and neuron death in the central and peripheral nervous systems. Current methods to treat neurodegenerative diseases rely on neurotrophic factors that are inefficient at crossing the blood-brain-barrier (BBB), and also possess short plasma half-life. These shortcomings tend to limit their clinical use. It is, therefore, important to identify neurotrophic agents that can overcome these shortcomings. It is also essential to identify a long-term on-site delivery method for the local application of the agents to sites of nerve injury. Researchers at the University of Toledo have developed a peptide nanotube tool for the controlled and slow release of low acyl gellan gum (LA-GAGR) and its cleavage products, mini- and midi-GAGR, to the peripheral nervous system for the long-term onsite treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and/or peripheral nerve injury. Applications: • The mini- and midi-GAGR-encapsulated peptide nanotubes may be used in the long-term onsite treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, spinal cord injury, and TBI• The peptide nanotubes can also be used for treatment of disorders including multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Value Proposition: • FDA-approved LA-GAGR and its cleaved products efficiently penetrate the BBB and possess long plasma half-life• Midi/mini-GAGR have been shown to interact with TrkB, a known receptor for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF is a well-known brain hormone that reverses axon atrophy and neuron death• The engineered peptide nanotube may help the long-term onsite release of LA-GAGR and its cleaved products, which should overcome the short half-life of currently available remedies for neurodegenerative diseases• Mini/midi-GAGR are generated after enzymatic digestion of LA-GAGR• Mini/midi-GAGR may increase the proteins involved in neuritogenesis in the brain and peripheral nervous system. • The peptide nanotube and method allows for direct injection into a treatment site for controlled and slow release of drugs (e.g., a neurogenic midi-GAGR) from the injection site to the surrounding areas• Animal data demonstrates the neuro-regenerative ability of midi-GAGR following complete nerve resection IP Status: U.S. Utility Patent Application pending
美國
