Download NOVEL APPROACHES TO TRAUMATIC BRAIN AND SPINAL

NOVEL APPROACHES TO TRAUMATIC BRAIN AND
SPINAL CORD INJURIES
• Traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries (TBI & SCI) are incurred by over 1.7M individuals yearly in the
US alone
• There are currently no effective treatments for TBI and SCI resulting in significant unmet need
• Recovery from these central nervous system (CNS) injuries is poor due to the limited capacity of the
neurons to regenerate
• Scientists at the University of Helsinki have discovered two molecules, UH0113 and UH0213 (both
peptides/proteins) that promote neuronal regeneration and growth in the injured brain and spinal cord,
thus representing novel strategies for CNS injuries
CSPG + UH0113
Functional testing, SCI
Control
UH0113
Number of axons
B
Control
UH0113
Days post injury
In vivo imaging, TBI
C
50
40
30
ctrl (UH0113)
ctrl (UH0213)
UH0113
sham
UH0213
20
p=0.03
E
10
baseline
1,6
2
4
6
8
10
D
ctrl
UH0113
1,2
UH0213
0,8
Vessel length,
normalized
Number of axons
A
Time to climb up, s
In vivo imaging, SCI
CSPG + UH0213
Dendrite density,
normalized
CSPG + IgG
Average score, pts
CSPG
UH0113 and UH0213 promote neurite outgrowth.
Chondroitin
sulphate
proteoglycans
(CSPGs,
immobilized on the substrate) inhibit axonal growth
in embryonic rat cortical neurons in vitro. UH0113
and UH0213 overcome this inhibitory action.
p=0.05
F
0,4
1
3
5
7
9
20 days post injury
Weeks post injury
UH0113 and -0213 restore neuronal growth and functions after injury. UH0113 increases the number of axons within (A) and
crossing over (B) an injury site. Following SCI, UH0113 and -0213 enhance locomotor activity as measured by vertical grid climbing (C) and
trauma assessment test (D). Following TBI, UH0113 enhances dendrite density (E) and blood vessel length (F). In the SCI model, following
injury (laminectomy of two vertebra and transection of dorsal sensory tracts on one side of the spinal cord) UH0113 or -0213 was injected
to the injury site in adult mice, UH0113 on day 0 and -0213 on day 3 post injury. In the TBI model, following injury (needle prick to the
parietal lobe of the brain cortex), UH0113 was injected to the injury site in adult transgenic mice expressing YFP in dendrites, and chronic
cranial window was used to follow dendrite regeneration using two photon microscopy on live animals over 20 days. Sham-operated mice
did not receive any treatment.
Intellectual property & offer
• PCT applications, relating to the use of UH0113 and UH0213 for treating TBI, SCI and other neuronal
injuries have been filed.
• We are currently seeking investment and co-development opportunities for this technology.
Contact
Dr Kirsty Hewitson
Director, Life Sciences
Helsinki Innovation Services
[email protected]
Tel: +350 50 572 2281
www.his.fi