Antibodies for Modulating Inflammasome Activity and Inflammation in the Central Nervous System
Robert W. Keane, W. Dalton Dietrich, Juan Pablo de Rivero Vaccari and Helen M. Bramlett
Problem
Inflammation after spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, stroke or other insults to the CNS causes inflammation and minimizes the chance for functional recovery. Currently, only a few drugs (e.g., steroids) are found to be effective at reducing inflammation in the CNS after traumatic injury, but their therapeutic benefit is hampered by side effects. In addition, conventional treatments, such as steroids, barbiturates and mild hypothermia have been reported to benefit some TBI patients, however, these treatments have failed in multi-center clinical trials.
Solution
An antibody that specifically binds to at least one component of the inflammasome has been made and purified. Administration of this antibody to a rodent model with SCI, TBI and stroke resulted in significant tissue sparing and functional improvement in strength, motor skills and locomotor function, as well as decreased lesion volume. Although the antibody has been developed for model animals, inflammasomes have been shown to be very similar among various mammals, including humans.
Competitive Advantage
This is a novel compound that reduces the inflammation response. There is an urgent need to develop new therapeutic agents, as currently available anti-inflammatory agents have been shown in large clinical trials to not offer significant benefits to this patient population.
Applications
The invention could be used as a novel therapeutic for treating patients with CNS trauma by reducing the inflammation response after injury.
Patent Status
US Patent Application No. 12/182,886 entitled MODULATING INFLAMMASOME ACTIVITY AND INFLAMMATION OF THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM was filed on July 30, 2008, and US2009/0104200A1 was published April 23, 2009.
Licensing Opportunity
We are seeking commercialization partnerships for the use of this novel compound as a possible therapeutic for treating CNS inflammation.
About the Inventors
Robert W. Keane, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Physiology and Biophysics at the UM Miller School of Medicine.
W. Dalton Dietrich, Ph.D., is a Professor of Neurological Surgery, and Scientific Director of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis at the UM Miller School of Medicine.
Juan Pablo de Rivero Vaccari, Ph.D., is a Postdoctoral Associate in the Department of Neurological Surgery, The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis at the UM Miller School of Medicine.
Helen M. Bramlett, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery, The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis at the UM Miller School of Medicine.
Selected References
de Rivero Vaccari JP, Lotocki G, Marcillo AE, Dietrich WD, Keane RW. A Molecular Platform in Neurons Regulates Inflammation after Spinal Cord Injury. J Neurosci. 2008 28:3404-3414.
Abulafia D, de Rivero Vaccari JP, Lozano D, Lotocki G, Keane RW, Dietrich WD. Inhibition of the Inflammasome Complex Reduces the Inflammatory Response after Thromboembolic Stroke in Mice. Submitted to J Cereb Blood Flow and Metabol.
