1
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Capobianco DL, De Zio R, Profico DC, Gelati M, Simone L, D'Erchia AM, Di Palma F, Mormone E, Bernardi P, Sbarbati A, Gerbino A, Pesole G, Vescovi AL, Svelto M, Pisani F. Human neural stem cells derived from fetal human brain communicate with each other and rescue ischemic neuronal cells through tunneling nanotubes. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:639. [PMID: 39217148 PMCID: PMC11365985 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-07005-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2024] [Accepted: 08/15/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Pre-clinical trials have demonstrated the neuroprotective effects of transplanted human neural stem cells (hNSCs) during the post-ischemic phase. However, the exact neuroprotective mechanism remains unclear. Tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) are long plasma membrane bridges that physically connect distant cells, enabling the intercellular transfer of mitochondria and contributing to post-ischemic repair processes. Whether hNSCs communicate through TNTs and their role in post-ischemic neuroprotection remains unknown. In this study, non-immortalized hNSC lines derived from fetal human brain tissues were examined to explore these possibilities and assess the post-ischemic neuroprotection potential of these hNSCs. Using Tau-STED super-resolution confocal microscopy, live cell time-lapse fluorescence microscopy, electron microscopy, and direct or non-contact homotypic co-cultures, we demonstrated that hNSCs generate nestin-positive TNTs in both 3D neurospheres and 2D cultures, through which they transfer functional mitochondria. Co-culturing hNSCs with differentiated SH-SY5Y (dSH-SY5Y) revealed heterotypic TNTs allowing mitochondrial transfer from hNSCs to dSH-SY5Y. To investigate the role of heterotypic TNTs in post-ischemic neuroprotection, dSH-SY5Y were subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) followed by reoxygenation (OGD/R) with or without hNSCs in direct or non-contact co-cultures. Compared to normoxia, OGD/R dSH-SY5Y became apoptotic with impaired electrical activity. When OGD/R dSH-SY5Y were co-cultured in direct contact with hNSCs, heterotypic TNTs enabled the transfer of functional mitochondria from hNSCs to OGD/R dSH-SY5Y, rescuing them from apoptosis and restoring the bioelectrical profile toward normoxic dSH-SY5Y. This complete neuroprotection did not occur in the non-contact co-culture. In summary, our data reveal the presence of a functional TNTs network containing nestin within hNSCs, demonstrate the involvement of TNTs in post-ischemic neuroprotection mediated by hNSCs, and highlight the strong efficacy of our hNSC lines in post-ischemic neuroprotection. Human neural stem cells (hNSCs) communicate with each other and rescue ischemic neurons through nestin-positive tunneling nanotubes (TNTs). A Functional mitochondria are exchanged via TNTs between hNSCs. B hNSCs transfer functional mitochondria to ischemic neurons through TNTs, rescuing neurons from ischemia/reperfusion ROS-dependent apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- D L Capobianco
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - R De Zio
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - D C Profico
- Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni, Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - M Gelati
- Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni, Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - L Simone
- Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni, Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - A M D'Erchia
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
- Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnologies (IBIOM) CNR, Bari, Italy
| | - F Di Palma
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - E Mormone
- Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni, Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - P Bernardi
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences. Unit of Human Anatomy, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - A Sbarbati
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences. Unit of Human Anatomy, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - A Gerbino
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - G Pesole
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
- Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnologies (IBIOM) CNR, Bari, Italy
| | - A L Vescovi
- Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni, Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
- Faculty of Medicine, Link Campus University, Rome, Italy
| | - M Svelto
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
- Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnologies (IBIOM) CNR, Bari, Italy
- National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems (INBB), Rome, Italy
| | - F Pisani
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy.
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2
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Mazzini L, De Marchi F, Buzanska L, Follenzi A, Glover JC, Gelati M, Lombardi I, Maioli M, Mesa-Herrera F, Mitrečić D, Olgasi C, Pivoriūnas A, Sanchez-Pernaute R, Sgromo C, Zychowicz M, Vescovi A, Ferrari D. Current status and new avenues of stem cell-based preclinical and therapeutic approaches in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2024:1-22. [PMID: 39162129 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2024.2392307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 08/10/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cell therapy development represents a critical challenge in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) research. Despite more than 20 years of basic and clinical research, no definitive safety and efficacy results of cell-based therapies for ALS have been published. AREAS COVERED This review summarizes advances using stem cells (SCs) in pre-clinical studies to promote clinical translation and in clinical trials to treat ALS. New technologies have been developed and new experimental in vitro and animal models are now available to facilitate pre-clinical research in this field and to determine the most promising approaches to pursue in patients. New clinical trial designs aimed at developing personalized SC-based treatment with biological endpoints are being defined. EXPERT OPINION Knowledge of the basic biology of ALS and on the use of SCs to study and potentially treat ALS continues to grow. However, a consensus has yet to emerge on how best to translate these results into therapeutic applications. The selection and follow-up of patients should be based on clinical, biological, and molecular criteria. Planning of SC-based clinical trials should be coordinated with patient profiling genetically and molecularly to achieve personalized treatment. Much work within basic and clinical research is still needed to successfully transition SC therapy in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letizia Mazzini
- ALS Center, Neurology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Fabiola De Marchi
- ALS Center, Neurology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Leonora Buzanska
- Department of Stem Cell Bioengineering, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Antonia Follenzi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
- Dipartimento Attività Integrate Ricerca Innovazione, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria SS. Antonio e Biagio e C. Arrigo, Alessandria, Italy
| | - Joel Clinton Glover
- Norwegian Center for Stem Cell Research, Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Oslo University Hospital; Laboratory of Neural Development and Optical Recording (NDEVOR), Oslo, Norway
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Maurizio Gelati
- Unità Produttiva per Terapie Avanzate (UPTA), IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Ivan Lombardi
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy
| | - Margherita Maioli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
- Center for Developmental Biology and Reprogramming-CEDEBIOR, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Fatima Mesa-Herrera
- Reprogramming and Neural Regeneration Lab, BioBizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Dinko Mitrečić
- Laboratory for Stem Cells, Croatian Institute for Brain Research and Department of Histology and Embryology, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Cristina Olgasi
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Augustas Pivoriūnas
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, State Research Institute Centre for Innovative Medicine, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Rosario Sanchez-Pernaute
- Reprogramming and Neural Regeneration Lab, BioBizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
- Ikerbaske, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Chiara Sgromo
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Marzena Zychowicz
- Department of Stem Cell Bioengineering, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Angelo Vescovi
- Unità Produttiva per Terapie Avanzate (UPTA), IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy
| | - Daniela Ferrari
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy
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3
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Chen KS, Koubek EJ, Sakowski SA, Feldman EL. Stem cell therapeutics and gene therapy for neurologic disorders. Neurotherapeutics 2024; 21:e00427. [PMID: 39096590 PMCID: PMC11345629 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurot.2024.e00427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 07/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Rapid advances in biological knowledge and technological innovation have greatly advanced the fields of stem cell and gene therapies to combat a broad spectrum of neurologic disorders. Researchers are currently exploring a variety of stem cell types (e.g., embryonic, progenitor, induced pluripotent) and various transplantation strategies, each with its own advantages and drawbacks. Similarly, various gene modification techniques (zinc finger, TALENs, CRISPR-Cas9) are employed with various delivery vectors to modify underlying genetic contributors to neurologic disorders. While these two individual fields continue to blaze new trails, it is the combination of these technologies which enables genetically engineered stem cells and vastly increases investigational and therapeutic opportunities. The capability to culture and expand stem cells outside the body, along with their potential to correct genetic abnormalities in patient-derived cells or enhance cells with extra gene products, unleashes the full biological potential for innovative, multifaceted approaches to treat complex neurological disorders. In this review, we provide an overview of stem cell and gene therapies in the context of neurologic disorders, highlighting recent advances and current shortcomings, and discuss prospects for future therapies in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin S Chen
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; NeuroNetwork for Emerging Therapies, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Emily J Koubek
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; NeuroNetwork for Emerging Therapies, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Stacey A Sakowski
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; NeuroNetwork for Emerging Therapies, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Eva L Feldman
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; NeuroNetwork for Emerging Therapies, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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Bryson JB, Kourgiantaki A, Jiang D, Demosthenous A, Greensmith L. An optogenetic cell therapy to restore control of target muscles in an aggressive mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. eLife 2024; 12:RP88250. [PMID: 38236205 PMCID: PMC10945574 DOI: 10.7554/elife.88250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Breakdown of neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) is an early pathological hallmark of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) that blocks neuromuscular transmission, leading to muscle weakness, paralysis and, ultimately, premature death. Currently, no therapies exist that can prevent progressive motor neuron degeneration, muscle denervation, or paralysis in ALS. Here, we report important advances in the development of an optogenetic, neural replacement strategy that can effectively restore innervation of severely affected skeletal muscles in the aggressive SOD1G93A mouse model of ALS, thus providing an interface to selectively control the function of targeted muscles using optical stimulation. We also identify a specific approach to confer complete survival of allogeneic replacement motor neurons. Furthermore, we demonstrate that an optical stimulation training paradigm can prevent atrophy of reinnervated muscle fibers and results in a tenfold increase in optically evoked contractile force. Together, these advances pave the way for an assistive therapy that could benefit all ALS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Barney Bryson
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- UCL Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alexandra Kourgiantaki
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- UCL Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dai Jiang
- Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andreas Demosthenous
- Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Linda Greensmith
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- UCL Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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5
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Huang H, Sanberg PR, Moviglia GA, Sharma A, Chen L, Chen D. Clinical results of neurorestorative cell therapies and therapeutic indications according to cellular bio-proprieties. Regen Ther 2023; 23:52-59. [PMID: 37122360 PMCID: PMC10130496 DOI: 10.1016/j.reth.2023.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell therapies have been explored to treat patients with nervous diseases for over 20 years. Even though most kinds of cell therapies demonstrated neurorestorative effects in non-randomized clinical trials; the effects of the majority type cells could not be confirmed by randomized controlled trials. In this review, clinical therapeutic results of neurorestorative cell therapies according to cellular bio-proprieties or cellular functions were introduced. Currently it was demonstrated from analysis of this review that some indications of cell therapies were not appropriate, they might be reasons why their neurorestorative effects could not be proved by multicenter, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials. Theoretically if one kind of cell therapy has neurorestorative effects according to its cellular bio-proprieties, it should have appropriate indications. The cell therapies with special bio-properties is promising if the indication selections are appropriate, such as olfactory ensheathing cells for chronic ischemic stroke, and their neurorestorative effects can be confirmed by higher level clinical trials of evidence-based medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyun Huang
- Beijing Hongtianji Neuroscience Academy, Beijing 100143, China
- Corresponding author.
| | - Paul R. Sanberg
- Center of Excellence for Aging & Brain Repair, Department of Neurosurgery & Brain Repair, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa 33612, Florida, USA
| | | | - Alok Sharma
- Department of Neurosurgery, LTM Medical College, LTMG Hospital, Mumbai, India
| | - Lin Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Di Chen
- Beijing Hongtianji Neuroscience Academy, Beijing 100143, China
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Profico DC, Gelati M, Ferrari D, Sgaravizzi G, Ricciolini C, Projetti Pensi M, Muzi G, Cajola L, Copetti M, Ciusani E, Pugliese R, Gelain F, Vescovi AL. Human Neural Stem Cell-Based Drug Product: Clinical and Nonclinical Characterization. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232113425. [PMID: 36362211 PMCID: PMC9653902 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Translation of cell therapies into clinical practice requires the adoption of robust production protocols in order to optimize and standardize the manufacture and cryopreservation of cells, in compliance with good manufacturing practice regulations. Between 2012 and 2020, we conducted two phase I clinical trials (EudraCT 2009-014484-39, EudraCT 2015-004855-37) on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis secondary progressive multiple sclerosis patients, respectively, treating them with human neural stem cells. Our production process of a hNSC-based medicinal product is the first to use brain tissue samples extracted from fetuses that died in spontaneous abortion or miscarriage. It consists of selection, isolation and expansion of hNSCs and ends with the final pharmaceutical formulation tailored to a specific patient, in compliance with the approved clinical protocol. The cells used in these clinical trials were analyzed in order to confirm their microbiological safety; each batch was also tested to assess identity, potency and safety through morphological and functional assays. Preclinical, clinical and in vitro nonclinical data have proved that our cells are safe and stable, and that the production process can provide a high level of reproducibility of the cultures. Here, we describe the quality control strategy for the characterization of the hNSCs used in the above-mentioned clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Celeste Profico
- Unità Produttiva per Terapie Avanzate, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Maurizio Gelati
- Unità Produttiva per Terapie Avanzate, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
- Laboratorio Cellule Staminali, Cell Factory e Biobanca, AOSP S. Maria, 05100 Terni, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Daniela Ferrari
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Bioscienze, Università Milano Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Giada Sgaravizzi
- Laboratorio Cellule Staminali, Cell Factory e Biobanca, AOSP S. Maria, 05100 Terni, Italy
| | - Claudia Ricciolini
- Laboratorio Cellule Staminali, Cell Factory e Biobanca, AOSP S. Maria, 05100 Terni, Italy
| | - Massimo Projetti Pensi
- Laboratorio Cellule Staminali, Cell Factory e Biobanca, AOSP S. Maria, 05100 Terni, Italy
| | - Gianmarco Muzi
- Laboratorio Cellule Staminali, Cell Factory e Biobanca, AOSP S. Maria, 05100 Terni, Italy
| | - Laura Cajola
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Bioscienze, Università Milano Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Copetti
- Unità di Biostatistica, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Emilio Ciusani
- Laboratorio Analisi, Instituto Nazionale Neurologico C. Besta, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Raffaele Pugliese
- Unità di Ingegneria Tissutale, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Gelain
- Unità di Ingegneria Tissutale, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Angelo Luigi Vescovi
- Unità Produttiva per Terapie Avanzate, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
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Salomon-Zimri S, Pushett A, Russek-Blum N, Van Eijk RPA, Birman N, Abramovich B, Eitan E, Elgrart K, Beaulieu D, Ennist DL, Berry JD, Paganoni S, Shefner JM, Drory VE. Combination of ciprofloxacin/celecoxib as a novel therapeutic strategy for ALS. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2022; 24:263-271. [PMID: 36106817 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2022.2119868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the safety and tolerability of a fixed-dose co-formulation of ciprofloxacin and celecoxib (PrimeC) in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and to examine its effects on disease progression and ALS-related biomarkers. METHODS In this proof of concept, open-label, phase IIa study of PrimeC in 15 patients with ALS, participants were administered PrimeC thrice daily for 12 months. The primary endpoints were safety and tolerability. Exploratory endpoints included disease progression outcomes such as forced vital capacity, revised ALS functional rating scale, and effect on algorithm-predicted survival. In addition, indications of a biological effect were assessed by selected biomarker analyses, including TDP-43 and LC3 levels in neuron-derived exosomes (NDEs), and serum neurofilaments. RESULTS Four participants experienced adverse events (AEs) related to the study drug. None of these AEs were unexpected, and most were mild or moderate (69%). Additionally, no serious AEs were related to the study drug. One participant tested positive for COVID-19 and recovered without complications, and no other abnormal laboratory investigations were found. Participants' survival compared to their predictions showed no safety concerns. Biomarker analyses demonstrated significant changes associated with PrimeC in neural-derived exosomal TDP-43 levels and levels of LC3, a key autophagy marker. INTERPRETATION This study supports the safety and tolerability of PrimeC in ALS. Biomarker analyses suggest early evidence of a biological effect. A placebo-controlled trial is required to disentangle the biomarker results from natural progression and to evaluate the efficacy of PrimeC for the treatment of ALS. Summary for social media if publishedTwitter handles: @NeurosenseT, @ShiranZimri•What is the current knowledge on the topic? ALS is a severe neurodegenerative disease, causing death within 2-5 years from diagnosis. To date there is no effective treatment to halt or significantly delay disease progression.•What question did this study address? This study assessed the safety, tolerability and exploratory efficacy of PrimeC, a fixed dose co-formulation of ciprofloxacin and celecoxib in the ALS population.•What does this study add to our knowledge? This study supports the safety and tolerability of PrimeC in ALS, and exploratory biomarker analyses suggest early insight for disease related-alteration.•How might this potentially impact the practice of neurology? These results set the stage for a larger, placebo-controlled study to examine the efficacy of PrimeC, with the potential to become a new drug candidate for ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Niva Russek-Blum
- NeuroSense Therapeutics, Ltd, Herzliya, Israel
- The Dead Sea Arava Science Center, Auspices of Ben Gurion University, Central Arava, Israel
| | - Ruben P. A. Van Eijk
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Biostatistics and Research Support, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Nurit Birman
- Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Department of Neurology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Beatrice Abramovich
- Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Department of Neurology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | | | | | | | | | - James D. Berry
- Department of Neurology Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Sean M. Healey and AMG Center for ALS at Mass General and Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sabrina Paganoni
- Department of Neurology Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Sean M. Healey and AMG Center for ALS at Mass General and Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Vivian E. Drory
- Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Department of Neurology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
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8
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Transplantation of human neural progenitor cells secreting GDNF into the spinal cord of patients with ALS: a phase 1/2a trial. Nat Med 2022; 28:1813-1822. [PMID: 36064599 PMCID: PMC9499868 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-022-01956-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) involves progressive motor neuron loss, leading to paralysis and death typically within 3–5 years of diagnosis. Dysfunctional astrocytes may contribute to disease and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) can be protective. Here we show that human neural progenitor cells transduced with GDNF (CNS10-NPC-GDNF) differentiated to astrocytes protected spinal motor neurons and were safe in animal models. CNS10-NPC-GDNF were transplanted unilaterally into the lumbar spinal cord of 18 ALS participants in a phase 1/2a study (NCT02943850). The primary endpoint of safety at 1 year was met, with no negative effect of the transplant on motor function in the treated leg compared with the untreated leg. Tissue analysis of 13 participants who died of disease progression showed graft survival and GDNF production. Benign neuromas near delivery sites were common incidental findings at post-mortem. This study shows that one administration of engineered neural progenitors can provide new support cells and GDNF delivery to the ALS patient spinal cord for up to 42 months post-transplantation. A phase 1/2a study shows that human neural progenitor cells modified to release the growth factor GDNF are safely transplanted into the spinal cord of patients with ALS, with cell survival and GDNF production for over 3 years.
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9
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Huang H, Al Zoubi ZM, Moviglia G, Sharma HS, Sarnowska A, Sanberg PR, Chen L, Xue Q, Siniscalco D, Feng S, Saberi H, Guo X, Xue M, Dimitrijevic MR, Andrews RJ, Mao G, Zhao RC, Han F. Clinical cell therapy guidelines for neurorestoration (IANR/CANR 2022). JOURNAL OF NEURORESTORATOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnrt.2022.100015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
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10
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McGinley LM, Chen KS, Mason SN, Rigan DM, Kwentus JF, Hayes JM, Glass ED, Reynolds EL, Murphy GG, Feldman EL. Monoclonal antibody-mediated immunosuppression enables long-term survival of transplanted human neural stem cells in mouse brain. Clin Transl Med 2022; 12:e1046. [PMID: 36101963 PMCID: PMC9471059 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As the field of stem cell therapy advances, it is important to develop reliable methods to overcome host immune responses in animal models. This ensures survival of transplanted human stem cell grafts and enables predictive efficacy testing. Immunosuppressive drugs derived from clinical protocols are frequently used but are often inconsistent and associated with toxic side effects. Here, using a molecular imaging approach, we show that immunosuppression targeting costimulatory molecules CD4 and CD40L enables robust survival of human xenografts in mouse brain, as compared to conventional tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil. METHODS Human neural stem cells were modified to express green fluorescent protein and firefly luciferase. Cells were implanted in the fimbria fornix of the hippocampus and viability assessed by non-invasive bioluminescent imaging. Cell survival was assessed using traditional pharmacologic immunosuppression as compared to monoclonal antibodies directed against CD4 and CD40L. This paradigm was also implemented in a transgenic Alzheimer's disease mouse model. RESULTS Graft rejection occurs within 7 days in non-immunosuppressed mice and within 14 days in mice on a traditional regimen. The addition of dual monoclonal antibody immunosuppression extends graft survival past 7 weeks (p < .001) on initial studies. We confirm dual monoclonal antibody treatment is superior to either antibody alone (p < .001). Finally, we demonstrate robust xenograft survival at multiple cell doses up to 6 months in both C57BL/6J mice and a transgenic Alzheimer's disease model (p < .001). The dual monoclonal antibody protocol demonstrated no significant adverse effects, as determined by complete blood counts and toxicity screen. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates an effective immunosuppression protocol for preclinical testing of stem cell therapies. A transition towards antibody-based strategies may be advantageous by enabling stem cell survival in preclinical studies that could inform future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M. McGinley
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Kevin S. Chen
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
- Department of NeurosurgeryUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Shayna N. Mason
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Diana M. Rigan
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | | | - John M. Hayes
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Emily D. Glass
- Department of Molecular and Integrative PhysiologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
- Michigan Neuroscience InstituteUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Evan L. Reynolds
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Geoffrey G. Murphy
- Department of Molecular and Integrative PhysiologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
- Michigan Neuroscience InstituteUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Eva L. Feldman
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
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11
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Sakowski SA, Chen KS. Stem cell therapy for central nervous system disorders: Metabolic interactions between transplanted cells and local microenvironments. Neurobiol Dis 2022; 173:105842. [PMID: 35988874 PMCID: PMC10117179 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2022.105842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem cell therapy is a promising and rapidly advancing treatment strategy for a multitude of neurologic disorders. Yet, while early phase clinical trials are being pursued in many disorders, the mechanism of action often remains unclear. One important potential mechanism by which stem cells provide neuroprotection is through metabolic signaling with diseased neurons, glia, and other cell types in the nervous system microenvironment. Early studies exploring such interactions report normalization of glucose metabolism, induction of protective mitochondrial genes, and even interactions with supportive neurovasculature. Local metabolic conditions also impact stem cell biology, which can have a large impact on transplant viability and efficacy. Epigenetic changes that occur in the donor prior to collection of stem cells, and even during in vitro culture conditions, may have effects on stem cell biology that are carried into the host upon stem cell transplantation. Transplanted stem cells also face potentially toxic metabolic microenvironments at the targeted transplant site. Novel approaches for metabolically "preconditioning" stem cells prior to transplant harness metabolic machinery to optimize stem cell survival upon transplant. Ultimately, an improved understanding of the metabolic cross-talk between implanted stem cells and the local nervous system environment, in both disease and injury states, will increase the likelihood of success in translating stem cell therapy to early trials in neurological disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacey A Sakowski
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Kevin S Chen
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan, 1500 E. Medical Center Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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12
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Assessing fetal human neural stem cells tumorigenicity potential in athymic rats with penetrating traumatic brain injury (pTBI). Brain Res 2022; 1791:148002. [PMID: 35810769 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2022.148002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) often produce disability in survivors due to unresolved inflammation and progressive neurodegeneration. The central nervous system in mammals is incapable of self-repair. Two decades of preclinical studies and clinical trials have provided insights into TBI pathophysiology that could be utilized to develop clinically relevant therapy. Our laboratory recently reported efficacy of clinical trial grade fetal human neural stem cells (hNSCs) in immunosuppressed rats with penetrating traumatic brain injury (pTBI). Next, in compliance with the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) guidance, this study explores safety by assessing the tumorigenicity potential of intracranial hNSC transplants in athymic rats with pTBI. First, the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was determined. Then, forty athymic pTBI rats were randomized to either: Group A. pTBI + vehicle or Group B. pTBI + hNSCs at MTD one week after injury with 6-months survival, sufficient time to uncover transplant associated tumorigenicity. A board-certified Pathologist examined hematoxylin-eosin (H&E), Ki67 immunostained brain and spinal cord, serial sections along with several abnormal peripheral masses for evidence of lesion, transplant, and oncogenesis. There was no evidence of transplant derived tumors or oncogenic tissue necrosis. Consistent with athymic literature, the lesion remained unchanged even after robust hNSC engraftment. This safety study supports the conclusion that hNSCs are safe for transplantation in pTBI. The differences in lesion expansion between immunosuppressed and athymic rats in the presence of hNSCs suggests an unexpected role for thymus derived cells in resolution of trauma induced inflammation.
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13
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Lin TJ, Cheng KC, Wu LY, Lai WY, Ling TY, Kuo YC, Huang YH. Potential of Cellular Therapy for ALS: Current Strategies and Future Prospects. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:851613. [PMID: 35372346 PMCID: PMC8966507 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.851613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive upper and lower motor neuron (MN) degeneration with unclear pathology. The worldwide prevalence of ALS is approximately 4.42 per 100,000 populations, and death occurs within 3-5 years after diagnosis. However, no effective therapeutic modality for ALS is currently available. In recent years, cellular therapy has shown considerable therapeutic potential because it exerts immunomodulatory effects and protects the MN circuit. However, the safety and efficacy of cellular therapy in ALS are still under debate. In this review, we summarize the current progress in cellular therapy for ALS. The underlying mechanism, current clinical trials, and the pros and cons of cellular therapy using different types of cell are discussed. In addition, clinical studies of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in ALS are highlighted. The summarized findings of this review can facilitate the future clinical application of precision medicine using cellular therapy in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting-Jung Lin
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kuang-Chao Cheng
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Luo-Yun Wu
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Yu Lai
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- TMU Research Center for Cell Therapy and Regeneration Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Thai-Yen Ling
- Department and Graduate Institute of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Research Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Che Kuo
- TMU Research Center for Cell Therapy and Regeneration Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Hua Huang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- TMU Research Center for Cell Therapy and Regeneration Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- International Ph.D. Program for Cell Therapy and Regeneration Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- TMU Research Center of Cancer Translational Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Comprehensive Cancer Center of Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- PhD Program for Translational Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
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14
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All Roads Lead to Rome: Different Molecular Players Converge to Common Toxic Pathways in Neurodegeneration. Cells 2021; 10:cells10092438. [PMID: 34572087 PMCID: PMC8468417 DOI: 10.3390/cells10092438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Huntington’s disease (HD) are being suggested to have common cellular and molecular pathological mechanisms, characterized mainly by protein misfolding and aggregation. These large inclusions, most likely, represent an end stage of a molecular cascade; however, the soluble misfolded proteins, which take part in earlier steps of this cascade, are the more toxic players. These pathological proteins, which characterize each specific disease, lead to the selective vulnerability of different neurons, likely resulting from a combination of different intracellular mechanisms, including mitochondrial dysfunction, ER stress, proteasome inhibition, excitotoxicity, oxidative damage, defects in nucleocytoplasmic transport, defective axonal transport and neuroinflammation. Damage within these neurons is enhanced by damage from the nonneuronal cells, via inflammatory processes that accelerate the progression of these diseases. In this review, while acknowledging the hallmark proteins which characterize the most common NDDs; we place specific focus on the common overlapping mechanisms leading to disease pathology despite these different molecular players and discuss how this convergence may occur, with the ultimate hope that therapies effective in one disease may successfully translate to another.
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15
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De Marchi F, Munitic I, Amedei A, Berry JD, Feldman EL, Aronica E, Nardo G, Van Weehaeghe D, Niccolai E, Prtenjaca N, Sakowski SA, Bendotti C, Mazzini L. Interplay between immunity and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Clinical impact. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 127:958-978. [PMID: 34153344 PMCID: PMC8428677 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.06.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a debilitating and rapidly fatal neurodegenerative disease. Despite decades of research and many new insights into disease biology over the 150 years since the disease was first described, causative pathogenic mechanisms in ALS remain poorly understood, especially in sporadic cases. Our understanding of the role of the immune system in ALS pathophysiology, however, is rapidly expanding. The aim of this manuscript is to summarize the recent advances regarding the immune system involvement in ALS, with particular attention to clinical translation. We focus on the potential pathophysiologic mechanism of the immune system in ALS, discussing local and systemic factors (blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and microbiota) that influence ALS onset and progression in animal models and people. We also explore the potential of Positron Emission Tomography to detect neuroinflammation in vivo, and discuss ongoing clinical trials of therapies targeting the immune system. With validation in human patients, new evidence in this emerging field will serve to identify novel therapeutic targets and provide realistic hope for personalized treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiola De Marchi
- Department of Neurology and ALS Centre, University of Piemonte Orientale, Maggiore Della Carità Hospital, Corso Mazzini 18, Novara, 28100, Italy
| | - Ivana Munitic
- Laboratory for Molecular Immunology, Department of Biotechnology, University of Rijeka, R. Matejcic 2, 51000, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Amedeo Amedei
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - James D Berry
- Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 165 Cambridge Street, Suite 600, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Eva L Feldman
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Eleonora Aronica
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of (Neuro) Pathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Giovanni Nardo
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, Milanm, 20156, Italy
| | - Donatienne Van Weehaeghe
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Imaging and Pathology, University Hospitals Leuven, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Elena Niccolai
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Nikolina Prtenjaca
- Laboratory for Molecular Immunology, Department of Biotechnology, University of Rijeka, R. Matejcic 2, 51000, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Stacey A Sakowski
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Caterina Bendotti
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, Milanm, 20156, Italy
| | - Letizia Mazzini
- Department of Neurology and ALS Centre, University of Piemonte Orientale, Maggiore Della Carità Hospital, Corso Mazzini 18, Novara, 28100, Italy.
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16
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Burns TC, Quinones-Hinojosa A. Regenerative medicine for neurological diseases-will regenerative neurosurgery deliver? BMJ 2021; 373:n955. [PMID: 34162530 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.n955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Regenerative medicine aspires to transform the future practice of medicine by providing curative, rather than palliative, treatments. Healing the central nervous system (CNS) remains among regenerative medicine's most highly prized but formidable challenges. "Regenerative neurosurgery" provides access to the CNS or its surrounding structures to preserve or restore neurological function. Pioneering efforts over the past three decades have introduced cells, neurotrophins, and genes with putative regenerative capacity into the CNS to combat neurodegenerative, ischemic, and traumatic diseases. In this review we critically evaluate the rationale, paradigms, and translational progress of regenerative neurosurgery, harnessing access to the CNS to protect, rejuvenate, or replace cell types otherwise irreversibly compromised by neurological disease. We discuss the evidence surrounding fetal, somatic, and pluripotent stem cell derived implants to replace endogenous neuronal and glial cell types and provide trophic support. Neurotrophin based strategies via infusions and gene therapy highlight the motivation to preserve neuronal circuits, the complex fidelity of which cannot be readily recreated. We specifically highlight ongoing translational efforts in Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, stroke, and spinal cord injury, using these to illustrate the principles, challenges, and opportunities of regenerative neurosurgery. Risks of associated procedures and novel neurosurgical trials are discussed, together with the ethical challenges they pose. After decades of efforts to develop and refine necessary tools and methodologies, regenerative neurosurgery is well positioned to advance treatments for refractory neurological diseases. Strategic multidisciplinary efforts will be critical to harness complementary technologies and maximize mechanistic feedback, accelerating iterative progress toward cures for neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terry C Burns
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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17
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Ohashi N, Terashima T, Katagi M, Nakae Y, Okano J, Suzuki Y, Kojima H. GLT1 gene delivery based on bone marrow-derived cells ameliorates motor function and survival in a mouse model of ALS. Sci Rep 2021; 11:12803. [PMID: 34140581 PMCID: PMC8211665 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-92285-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an intractable neurodegenerative disease. CD68-positive bone marrow (BM)-derived cells (BMDCs) accumulate in the pathological lesion in the SOD1(G93A) ALS mouse model after BM transplantation (BMT). Therefore, we investigated whether BMDCs can be applied as gene carriers for cell-based gene therapy by employing the accumulation of BMDCs. In ALS mice, YFP reporter signals were observed in 12-14% of white blood cells (WBCs) and in the spinal cord via transplantation of BM after lentiviral vector (LV) infection. After confirmation of gene transduction by LV with the CD68 promoter in 4-7% of WBCs and in the spinal cord of ALS mice, BM cells were infected with LVs expressing glutamate transporter (GLT) 1 that protects neurons from glutamate toxicity, driven by the CD68 promoter, which were transplanted into ALS mice. The treated mice showed improvement of motor behaviors and prolonged survival. Additionally, interleukin (IL)-1β was significantly suppressed, and IL-4, arginase 1, and FIZZ were significantly increased in the mice. These results suggested that GLT1 expression by BMDCs improved the spinal cord environment. Therefore, our gene therapy strategy may be applied to treat neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS in which BMDCs accumulate in the pathological lesion by BMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natsuko Ohashi
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Shiga University of Medical Science, Seta Tsukinowa-Cho, Otsu, Shiga, 520-2192, Japan
| | - Tomoya Terashima
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Shiga University of Medical Science, Seta Tsukinowa-Cho, Otsu, Shiga, 520-2192, Japan.
| | - Miwako Katagi
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Shiga University of Medical Science, Seta Tsukinowa-Cho, Otsu, Shiga, 520-2192, Japan
| | - Yuki Nakae
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Shiga University of Medical Science, Seta Tsukinowa-Cho, Otsu, Shiga, 520-2192, Japan
| | - Junko Okano
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shiga University of Medical Science, Shiga, Japan
| | - Yoshihisa Suzuki
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shiga University of Medical Science, Shiga, Japan
| | - Hideto Kojima
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Shiga University of Medical Science, Seta Tsukinowa-Cho, Otsu, Shiga, 520-2192, Japan
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18
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Bella ED, Bersano E, Antonini G, Borghero G, Capasso M, Caponnetto C, Chiò A, Corbo M, Filosto M, Giannini F, Spataro R, Lunetta C, Mandrioli J, Messina S, Monsurrò MR, Mora G, Riva N, Rizzi R, Siciliano G, Silani V, Simone I, Sorarù G, Tugnoli V, Verriello L, Volanti P, Furlan R, Nolan JM, Abgueguen E, Tramacere I, Lauria G. The unfolded protein response in amyotrophic later sclerosis: results of a phase 2 trial. Brain 2021; 144:2635-2647. [PMID: 33905493 PMCID: PMC8557337 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awab167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Strong evidence suggests that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) through an altered regulation of proteostasis. Robust preclinical findings demonstrated that guanabenz selectively inhibits ER stress-induced eIF2α-phosphatase allowing misfolded protein clearance, reduces neuronal death and prolongs survival in in vitro and in vivo models. Its efficacy and safety in ALS patients are unknown. To address these issues, we conducted a multicentre, randomised, double-blind trial, with futility design. ALS patients with onset of symptoms within the previous 18 months were randomly assigned to receive in a 1:1:1:1 ratio guanabenz 64 mg, 32 mg, 16 mg or placebo daily for 6 months as add-on therapy to riluzole. The purpose of the placebo group blinding was safety but not efficacy. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients progressing to higher stages of disease in 6 months as measured by the ALS Milano-Torino staging compared to a historical cohort of 200 ALS patients. The secondary outcomes were the rate of decline in ALSFRS-R total score, slow vital capacity change, time to death, tracheotomy or permanent ventilation and serum light neurofilament level at 6 months. The primary analysis of efficacy was performed by intention-to-treat. Guanabenz 64 mg and 32 mg arms, both alone and combined, reached the primary hypothesis of non-futility with proportions of patients who progressed to higher stage of disease at 6 months significantly lower than that expected under the hypothesis of non-futility and significantly lower difference in the median rate of change of the ALSFRS-R total score. This effect was driven by patients with bulbar onset, none of whom (0/18) progressed to a higher stage of disease at 6 months compared with those in guanabenz 16 mg (4/8; 50%), historical cohort alone (21/49; 43%; p = 0.001) or plus placebo (25/60; 42%; p = 0.001). The proportion of patients who experienced at least one adverse event was higher in any guanabenz arm than in the placebo arm, with higher dosing arms having significantly higher proportion of drug-related side effects and the 64 mg arm significantly higher drop-out rate. The number of serious adverse events did not significantly differ between guanabenz arms and placebo. Our findings indicate that a larger trial with a molecule targeting the UPR pathway without the alpha-2 adrenergic related side-effect profile of guanabenz is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Dalla Bella
- 3rd Neurology Unit and Motor Neuron Disease Centre, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico "Carlo Besta", Milan, Italy
| | - Enrica Bersano
- 3rd Neurology Unit and Motor Neuron Disease Centre, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico "Carlo Besta", Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanni Antonini
- NESMOS Department, Neuromuscolar Disease Unit, Sant'Andrea Hospital and University of Rome "Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Adriano Chiò
- ALS Centre "Rita Levi Montalcini", Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy
| | - Massimo Corbo
- Department of Neurorehabilitaton, Casa Cura Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Filosto
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, ASST Spedali Civili Brescia and NeMO-Brescia Clinical Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, Brescia, Italy
| | - Fabio Giannini
- Department of Medical and Surgery Sciences and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Italy
| | | | | | - Jessica Mandrioli
- Department of Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Sonia Messina
- Unit of Neurology and Neuromuscular Disorders, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine and University of Messina, AOU Policlinico "G. Martino", Messina, Italy.,NEuroMuscular Omnicentre of Messina, University Hospital "G. Martino", Messina, Italy
| | | | | | - Nilo Riva
- Department of Neurology IRCCS "San Raffaele" Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Romana Rizzi
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neuro-Motor Diseases, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale, IRCCS of Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Gabriele Siciliano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neurology Unit, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Silani
- Department of Neurology-Stroke Unit and Laboratory of Neuroscience, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Milan, Italy.,Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, "Dino Ferrari" Centre and Centre for Neurotechnology and Brain Therapeutics, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Isabella Simone
- Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, University of Bari, Italy
| | - Gianni Sorarù
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Italy
| | - Valeria Tugnoli
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Division of Neurology, University Hospital of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Verriello
- Neurology Unit, S. Maria della Misericordia University Hospital, Udine, Italy
| | - Paolo Volanti
- Intensive Neurorehabilitation Unit, ICS Maugeri IRCCS, Mistretta, Italy
| | - Roberto Furlan
- Clinical Neuroimmunology Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - John M Nolan
- Drew University, Caspersen School of Graduate Studies, Madison, NJ, USA
| | | | - Irene Tramacere
- Scientific Directorate, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico "Carlo Besta", Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lauria
- 3rd Neurology Unit and Motor Neuron Disease Centre, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico "Carlo Besta", Milan, Italy.,Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco", University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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19
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Kiernan MC, Vucic S, Talbot K, McDermott CJ, Hardiman O, Shefner JM, Al-Chalabi A, Huynh W, Cudkowicz M, Talman P, Van den Berg LH, Dharmadasa T, Wicks P, Reilly C, Turner MR. Improving clinical trial outcomes in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Nat Rev Neurol 2021; 17:104-118. [PMID: 33340024 PMCID: PMC7747476 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-020-00434-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Individuals who are diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) today face the same historically intransigent problem that has existed since the initial description of the disease in the 1860s - a lack of effective therapies. In part, the development of new treatments has been hampered by an imperfect understanding of the biological processes that trigger ALS and promote disease progression. Advances in our understanding of these biological processes, including the causative genetic mutations, and of the influence of environmental factors have deepened our appreciation of disease pathophysiology. The consequent identification of pathogenic targets means that the introduction of effective therapies is becoming a realistic prospect. Progress in precision medicine, including genetically targeted therapies, will undoubtedly change the natural history of ALS. The evolution of clinical trial designs combined with improved methods for patient stratification will facilitate the translation of novel therapies into the clinic. In addition, the refinement of emerging biomarkers of therapeutic benefits is critical to the streamlining of care for individuals. In this Review, we synthesize these developments in ALS and discuss the further developments and refinements needed to accelerate the introduction of effective therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew C Kiernan
- Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
- Institute of Clinical Neurosciences, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
| | - Steve Vucic
- Sydney Medical School Westmead, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kevin Talbot
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Christopher J McDermott
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- NIHR Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre, Sheffield, UK
| | - Orla Hardiman
- Academic Neurology Unit, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- National Neuroscience Centre, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jeremy M Shefner
- Department of Neurology, Barrow Neurological Institute, University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix, Creighton University, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Ammar Al-Chalabi
- King's College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, London, UK
| | - William Huynh
- Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Institute of Clinical Neurosciences, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Merit Cudkowicz
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Paul Talman
- Neurosciences Department, Barwon Health District, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Leonard H Van den Berg
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Thanuja Dharmadasa
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Paul Wicks
- Wicks Digital Health, Lichfield, United Kingdom
| | - Claire Reilly
- The Motor Neurone Disease Association of New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Martin R Turner
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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20
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Leyton-Jaimes MF, Ivert P, Hoeber J, Han Y, Feiler A, Zhou C, Pankratova S, Shoshan-Barmatz V, Israelson A, Kozlova EN. Empty mesoporous silica particles significantly delay disease progression and extend survival in a mouse model of ALS. Sci Rep 2020; 10:20675. [PMID: 33244084 PMCID: PMC7691331 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-77578-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating incurable neurological disorder characterized by motor neuron (MN) death and muscle dysfunction leading to mean survival time after diagnosis of only 2-5 years. A potential ALS treatment is to delay the loss of MNs and disease progression by the delivery of trophic factors. Previously, we demonstrated that implanted mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSPs) loaded with trophic factor peptide mimetics support survival and induce differentiation of co-implanted embryonic stem cell (ESC)-derived MNs. Here, we investigate whether MSP loaded with peptide mimetics of ciliary neurotrophic factor (Cintrofin), glial-derived neurotrophic factor (Gliafin), and vascular endothelial growth factor (Vefin1) injected into the cervical spinal cord of mutant SOD1 mice affect disease progression and extend survival. We also transplanted boundary cap neural crest stem cells (bNCSCs) which have been shown previously to have a positive effect on MN survival in vitro and in vivo. We show that mimetic-loaded MSPs and bNCSCs significantly delay disease progression and increase survival of mutant SOD1 mice, and also that empty particles significantly improve the condition of ALS mice. Our results suggest that intraspinal delivery of MSPs is a potential therapeutic approach for the treatment of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcel F Leyton-Jaimes
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O.B. 653, 84105, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Patrik Ivert
- Department of Neuroscience, Regenerative Neurobiology, Uppsala University Biomedical Center, Box 593, 751 24, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jan Hoeber
- Department of Neuroscience, Regenerative Neurobiology, Uppsala University Biomedical Center, Box 593, 751 24, Uppsala, Sweden.,Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Box 815, 751 08, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Yilin Han
- Department of Neuroscience, Regenerative Neurobiology, Uppsala University Biomedical Center, Box 593, 751 24, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Adam Feiler
- Nanologica AB, Forskargatan 20G, 151 36, Södertälje, Sweden.,Chemistry Department, KTH, Royal Institute of Technology, 100 44, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Chunfang Zhou
- Chemistry Department, KTH, Royal Institute of Technology, 100 44, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Stanislava Pankratova
- Laboratory of Neural Plasticity, Department of Neuroscience, University of Copenhagen, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Comparative Pediatrics and Nutrition, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Varda Shoshan-Barmatz
- Department of Life Sciences, The National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev Ltd, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 84105, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Adrian Israelson
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O.B. 653, 84105, Beer Sheva, Israel.
| | - Elena N Kozlova
- Department of Neuroscience, Regenerative Neurobiology, Uppsala University Biomedical Center, Box 593, 751 24, Uppsala, Sweden.
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21
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Terashima T, Kobashi S, Watanabe Y, Nakanishi M, Honda N, Katagi M, Ohashi N, Kojima H. Enhancing the Therapeutic Efficacy of Bone Marrow-Derived Mononuclear Cells with Growth Factor-Expressing Mesenchymal Stem Cells for ALS in Mice. iScience 2020; 23:101764. [PMID: 33251493 PMCID: PMC7677706 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Several treatments have been attempted in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) animal models and patients. Recently, transplantation of bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells (MNCs) was investigated as a regenerative therapy for ALS, but satisfactory treatments remain to be established. To develop an effective treatment, we focused on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) expressing hepatocyte growth factor, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, and insulin-like growth factor using human artificial chromosome vector (HAC-MSCs). Here, we demonstrated the transplantation of MNCs with HAC-MSCs in ALS mice. As per our results, the progression of motor dysfunction was significantly delayed, and their survival was prolonged dramatically. Additional analysis revealed preservation of motor neurons, suppression of gliosis, engraftment of numerous MNCs, and elevated chemotaxis-related cytokines in the spinal cord of treated mice. Therefore, growth factor-expressing MSCs enhance the therapeutic effects of bone marrow-derived MNCs for ALS and have a high potential as a novel cell therapy for patients with ALS. MNCs with growth factor-expressing MSCs is an effective cell therapy for ALS mice The MSCs enhance therapeutic effects by migration of MNCs into ALS mice spinal cord This cell therapy suppresses neuronal loss and gliosis in ALS mice spinal cord This cell therapy induces several cytokines expression in ALS mice spinal cord
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoya Terashima
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Shiga University of Medical Science, Seta Tsukinowa-cho, Otsu, Shiga 520-2192, Japan
| | - Shuhei Kobashi
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Shiga University of Medical Science, Seta Tsukinowa-cho, Otsu, Shiga 520-2192, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Watanabe
- Division of Neurology, Department of Brain and Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Tottori 683-8504, Japan
| | - Mami Nakanishi
- Division of Neurology, Department of Brain and Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Tottori 683-8504, Japan
| | - Naoto Honda
- Division of Neurology, Department of Brain and Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Tottori 683-8504, Japan
| | - Miwako Katagi
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Shiga University of Medical Science, Seta Tsukinowa-cho, Otsu, Shiga 520-2192, Japan
| | - Natsuko Ohashi
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Shiga University of Medical Science, Seta Tsukinowa-cho, Otsu, Shiga 520-2192, Japan
| | - Hideto Kojima
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Shiga University of Medical Science, Seta Tsukinowa-cho, Otsu, Shiga 520-2192, Japan
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22
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Barczewska M, Maksymowicz S, Zdolińska-Malinowska I, Siwek T, Grudniak M. Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: an Original Study. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2020; 16:922-932. [PMID: 32725316 PMCID: PMC7456414 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-020-10016-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is still incurable. Although different therapies can affect the health and survival of patients. Our aim is to evaluate the effect of umbilical mesenchymal stem cells administrated intrathecally to patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis on disability development and survival. METHODS This case-control study involved 67 patients treated with Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSC). The treated patients were paired with 67 reference patients from the PRO-ACT database which contains patient records from 23 ALS clinical studies (phase 2/3). Patients in the treatment and reference groups were fully matched in terms of race, sex, onset of symptoms (bulbar/spinal), FT9 disease stage at the beginning of therapy and concomitant amyotrophic lateral sclerosis medications. Progression rates prior to treatment varied within a range of ± 0.5 points. All patients received three intrathecal injections of Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells every two months at a dose of 30 × 106 cells. Patients were assessed using the ALSFRS-R scale. Survival times were followed-up until March 2020. RESULTS Median survival time increased two-fold in all groups. In terms of progression, three response types measured in ALSFRS-R were observed: decreased progression rate (n = 21, 31.3%), no change in progression rate (n = 33, 49.3%) and increased progression rate (n = 13, 19.4%). Risk-benefit ratios were favorable in all groups. No serious adverse drug reactions were observed. INTERPRETATION Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells therapy is safe and effective in some ALS patients, regardless of the clinical features and demographic factors excluding sex. The female sex and a good therapeutic response to the first administration are significant predictors of efficacy following further administrations. Graphical Abstract Medical therapeutic experiment with retrospective case-control analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Barczewska
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Poland
- Instytut Terapii Komórkowych S.A., FamiCord Group, Olsztyn, Poland
- University Clinical Hospital, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Stanisław Maksymowicz
- Instytut Terapii Komórkowych S.A., FamiCord Group, Olsztyn, Poland.
- Department of Psychology and Sociology of Health and Public Health, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury, Warszawska 30, 10-082, Olsztyn, Poland.
| | | | - Tomasz Siwek
- Instytut Terapii Komórkowych S.A., FamiCord Group, Olsztyn, Poland
- University Clinical Hospital, Olsztyn, Poland
- Department of Neurology, University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Mariusz Grudniak
- Polski Bank Komórek Macierzystych S.A., FamiCord Group, Warsaw, Poland
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23
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Texakalidis P, Tora MS, Canute S, Hardcastle N, Poth K, Donsante A, Federici T, Javidfar J, Boulis NM. Minimally Invasive Injection to the Phrenic Nerve in a Porcine Hemidiaphragmatic Paralysis Model: A Pilot Study. Neurosurgery 2020; 87:847-853. [PMID: 31625573 DOI: 10.1093/neuros/nyz473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neurodegenerative diseases and spinal cord injury can affect respiratory function often through motor neuron loss innervating the diaphragm. To reinnervate this muscle, new motor neurons could be transplanted into the phrenic nerve (PN), allowing them to extend axons to the diaphragm. These neurons could then be driven by an optogenetics approach to regulate breathing. This type of approach has already been demonstrated in the peripheral nerves of mice. However, there is no established thoracoscopic approach to PN injection. Also, there is currently a lack of preclinical large animal models of diaphragmatic dysfunction in order to evaluate the efficacy of potential treatments. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the feasibility of thoracoscopic drug delivery into the PN and to assess the viability of hemidiaphragmatic paralysis in a porcine model. METHODS Two Landrace farm pigs underwent a novel procedure for thoracoscopic PN injections, including 1 nonsurvival and 1 survival surgery. Nonsurvival surgery involved bilateral PN injections and ligation. Survival surgery included a right PN injection and transection proximal to the injection site to induce hemidiaphragmatic paralysis. RESULTS PN injections were successfully performed in both procedures. The animal that underwent survival surgery recovered postoperatively with an established right hemidiaphragmatic paralysis. Over the 5-d postoperative period, the animal displayed stable vital signs and oxygenation saturation on room air with voluntary breathing. CONCLUSION Thoracoscopic targeting of the porcine PN is a feasible approach to administer therapeutic agents. A swine model of hemidiaphragmatic paralysis induced by unilateral PN ligation or transection may be potentially used to study diaphragmatic reinnervation following delivery of therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavlos Texakalidis
- Department of Neurosurgery, Emory School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Muhibullah S Tora
- Department of Neurosurgery, Emory School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Skyler Canute
- Department of Neurosurgery, Emory School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Nathan Hardcastle
- Department of Neurosurgery, Emory School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Kelly Poth
- Department of Neurosurgery, Emory School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Anthony Donsante
- Department of Neurosurgery, Emory School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Thais Federici
- Department of Neurosurgery, Emory School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Jeffrey Javidfar
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Emory School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Nicholas M Boulis
- Department of Neurosurgery, Emory School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
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24
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Wobst HJ, Mack KL, Brown DG, Brandon NJ, Shorter J. The clinical trial landscape in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-Past, present, and future. Med Res Rev 2020; 40:1352-1384. [PMID: 32043626 PMCID: PMC7417284 DOI: 10.1002/med.21661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 12/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease marked by progressive loss of muscle function. It is the most common adult-onset form of motor neuron disease, affecting about 16 000 people in the United States alone. The average survival is about 3 years. Only two interventional drugs, the antiglutamatergic small-molecule riluzole and the more recent antioxidant edaravone, have been approved for the treatment of ALS to date. Therapeutic strategies under investigation in clinical trials cover a range of different modalities and targets, and more than 70 different drugs have been tested in the clinic to date. Here, we summarize and classify interventional therapeutic strategies based on their molecular targets and phenotypic effects. We also discuss possible reasons for the failure of clinical trials in ALS and highlight emerging preclinical strategies that could provide a breakthrough in the battle against this relentless disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heike J Wobst
- Neuroscience, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Korrie L Mack
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Merck & Co, Inc, Kenilworth, New Jersey
| | - Dean G Brown
- Hit Discovery, Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Nicholas J Brandon
- Neuroscience, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - James Shorter
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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25
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Fischer I, Dulin JN, Lane MA. Transplanting neural progenitor cells to restore connectivity after spinal cord injury. Nat Rev Neurosci 2020; 21:366-383. [PMID: 32518349 PMCID: PMC8384139 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-020-0314-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury remains a scientific and therapeutic challenge with great cost to individuals and society. The goal of research in this field is to find a means of restoring lost function. Recently we have seen considerable progress in understanding the injury process and the capacity of CNS neurons to regenerate, as well as innovations in stem cell biology. This presents an opportunity to develop effective transplantation strategies to provide new neural cells to promote the formation of new neuronal networks and functional connectivity. Past and ongoing clinical studies have demonstrated the safety of cell therapy, and preclinical research has used models of spinal cord injury to better elucidate the underlying mechanisms through which donor cells interact with the host and thus increase long-term efficacy. While a variety of cell therapies have been explored, we focus here on the use of neural progenitor cells obtained or derived from different sources to promote connectivity in sensory, motor and autonomic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Itzhak Fischer
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Jennifer N Dulin
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Michael A Lane
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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26
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Promises and Limitations of Neural Stem Cell Therapies for Progressive Multiple Sclerosis. Trends Mol Med 2020; 26:898-912. [PMID: 32448751 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2020.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Multiple disease-modifying medications with regulatory approval to treat multiple sclerosis (MS) are unable to prevent inflammatory tissue damage in the central nervous system (CNS), and none directly promote repair. Thus, there is an unmet clinical need for therapies that can arrest and reverse the persistent accumulation of disabilities associated with progressive forms of MS (P-MS). Preclinical research has revealed an unexpected ability of neural stem cell (NSC) therapies to provide neurotrophic support and inhibit detrimental host immune responses in vivo following transplantation into the chronically inflamed CNS. We discuss NSC transplantation as a promising therapy for P-MS, elaborate on the necessities of clinical trial validation and formalized usage guidelines, and caution about unscrupulous 'clinics' marketing unproven therapies to patients.
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27
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Klietz ML, Kückelhaus M, Kaiser HW, Raschke MJ, Hirsch T, Aitzetmüller M. Stammzellen in der Regenerativen Medizin – Translationale Hürden und Möglichkeiten zur Überwindung. HANDCHIR MIKROCHIR P 2020; 52:338-349. [DOI: 10.1055/a-1122-8916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
ZusammenfassungDer Einsatz von mesenchymalen Stammzellen in der regenerativen Medizin wird immer populärer. Nichtsdestotrotz ist ihre Anwendung im klinischen Alltag noch immer limitiert. Zahlreiche ethische, rechtliche und translationale Probleme sowie Ungewissheit bzgl. der Sicherheit hemmen noch immer die Entstehung von entsprechenden Therapien aus vielversprechenden wissenschaftlichen Ansätzen.Diese Arbeit soll die Hauptprobleme bei der Translation von stammzellbasierten Therapien aus der Grundlagenforschung und Präklinik in den klinischen Alltag darstellen, sowie Ansätze aufzeigen, diese zu überwinden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Luise Klietz
- Abteilung für Plastische-, Rekonstruktive und Ästhetische Chirurgie, Handchirurgie, Fachklinik Hornheide, Münster
- Sektion Plastische Chirurgie an der Klinik für Unfall-, Hand- und Wiederherstellungschirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Münster
- Abteilung für Plastische und Rekonstruktive Chirurgie, Institut für Muskuloskelettale Medizin, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster
| | - Maximilian Kückelhaus
- Abteilung für Plastische-, Rekonstruktive und Ästhetische Chirurgie, Handchirurgie, Fachklinik Hornheide, Münster
- Sektion Plastische Chirurgie an der Klinik für Unfall-, Hand- und Wiederherstellungschirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Münster
- Abteilung für Plastische und Rekonstruktive Chirurgie, Institut für Muskuloskelettale Medizin, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster
| | | | - Michael J. Raschke
- Klinik für Unfall-, Hand- und Wiederherstellungschirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Münster
| | - Tobias Hirsch
- Abteilung für Plastische-, Rekonstruktive und Ästhetische Chirurgie, Handchirurgie, Fachklinik Hornheide, Münster
- Sektion Plastische Chirurgie an der Klinik für Unfall-, Hand- und Wiederherstellungschirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Münster
- Abteilung für Plastische und Rekonstruktive Chirurgie, Institut für Muskuloskelettale Medizin, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster
| | - Matthias Aitzetmüller
- Sektion Plastische Chirurgie an der Klinik für Unfall-, Hand- und Wiederherstellungschirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Münster
- Abteilung für Plastische und Rekonstruktive Chirurgie, Institut für Muskuloskelettale Medizin, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster
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28
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Willis CM, Nicaise AM, Peruzzotti-Jametti L, Pluchino S. The neural stem cell secretome and its role in brain repair. Brain Res 2020; 1729:146615. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2019.146615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Revised: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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29
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Huang H, Chen L, Mao G, Sharma HS. Clinical neurorestorative cell therapies: Developmental process, current state and future prospective. JOURNAL OF NEURORESTORATOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.26599/jnr.2020.9040009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical cell therapies (CTs) for neurological diseases and cellular damage have been explored for more than 2 decades. According to the United States Food and Drug Administration, there are 2 types of cell categories for therapy, namely stem cell-derived CT products and mature/functionally differentiated cell-derived CT products. However, regardless of the type of CT used, the majority of reports of clinical CTs from either small sample sizes based on single-center phase 1 or 2 unblinded trials or retrospective clinical studies showed effects on neurological improvement and the ability to either partially or temporarily thwart the deteriorating cellular processes of the neurodegenerative diseases. There have been only a few prospective, multicenter, randomized, double- blind placebo-control clinical trials of CTs so far in this developing novel area that have shown negative results, and more clinical trials are needed. This will expand our knowledge in exploring the type of cells that yield promising results and restore damaged neurological structure and functions of the central nervous system based on higher level evidence-based medical data. In this review, we briefly introduce the developmental process, current state, and future prospective for clinical neurorestorative CT.
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30
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Goutman SA, Brown MB, Cudkowicz M, Atassi N, Feldman EL. ALS/SURV: a modification of the CAFS statistic. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2019; 20:576-583. [PMID: 31334681 PMCID: PMC6768708 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2019.1643375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Revised: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
We present a composite endpoint that can be used in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) trials, which combines functional status (via the ALS functional rating scale) and survival, denoted ALS/SURV. ALS/SURV modifies and extends the combined assessment of function and survival (CAFS) score and assigns rankings to participants that withdraw or are lost to follow up in a way that does not disproportionately lower and skew ranks for those participants that reach study endpoint (either death or study completion). ALS/SURV has properties of: (1) ordering participants that completed the study from the shortest surviving participant to the last observed death followed by worst function to best function; (2) ordering participants withdrawing at time of withdrawal by their decline in functional status relative to all the participants still in the study; and (3) then maintaining this ordering at time of withdrawal relative to participants still in the study. These properties allow ALS/SURV to better account for participant drop out compared to CAFS. We derive and compare the rankings of participants from the ceftriaxone treatment trial for ALS/SURV and CAFS and demonstrate that ALS/SURV does not modify the ordering of participants that complete a study by the results of participants who withdraw. Additionally, ALS/SURV can be summarized as either median functional status or median survival along with interquartile range, thereby adding clinical meaning to the statistic. Finally, by applying normal deviates, confidence intervals can be computed and used to estimate power for future studies. In summary, the above properties support the role for ALS/SURV as a new ALS composite statistic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen A Goutman
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , MI , USA
- Program for Neurology Research and Discovery, University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , MI , USA
| | - Morton B Brown
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , MI , USA and
| | - Merit Cudkowicz
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School , Boston , MA , USA
| | - Nazem Atassi
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School , Boston , MA , USA
| | - Eva L Feldman
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , MI , USA
- Program for Neurology Research and Discovery, University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , MI , USA
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31
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32
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Nair RR, Corrochano S, Gasco S, Tibbit C, Thompson D, Maduro C, Ali Z, Fratta P, Arozena AA, Cunningham TJ, Fisher EMC. Uses for humanised mouse models in precision medicine for neurodegenerative disease. Mamm Genome 2019; 30:173-191. [PMID: 31203387 PMCID: PMC6759662 DOI: 10.1007/s00335-019-09807-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2019] [Accepted: 05/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disease encompasses a wide range of disorders afflicting the central and peripheral nervous systems and is a major unmet biomedical need of our time. There are very limited treatments, and no cures, for most of these diseases, including Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Huntington Disease, and Motor Neuron Diseases. Mouse and other animal models provide hope by analysing them to understand pathogenic mechanisms, to identify drug targets, and to develop gene therapies and stem cell therapies. However, despite many decades of research, virtually no new treatments have reached the clinic. Increasingly, it is apparent that human heterogeneity within clinically defined neurodegenerative disorders, and between patients with the same genetic mutations, significantly impacts disease presentation and, potentially, therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, stratifying patients according to genetics, lifestyle, disease presentation, ethnicity, and other parameters may hold the key to bringing effective therapies from the bench to the clinic. Here, we discuss genetic and cellular humanised mouse models, and how they help in defining the genetic and environmental parameters associated with neurodegenerative disease, and so help in developing effective precision medicine strategies for future healthcare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Remya R Nair
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, MRC Harwell Institute, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RD, UK
| | - Silvia Corrochano
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, MRC Harwell Institute, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RD, UK
| | - Samanta Gasco
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, MRC Harwell Institute, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RD, UK
| | - Charlotte Tibbit
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, MRC Harwell Institute, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RD, UK
| | - David Thompson
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, MRC Harwell Institute, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RD, UK
| | - Cheryl Maduro
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Zeinab Ali
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, MRC Harwell Institute, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RD, UK
| | - Pietro Fratta
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Abraham Acevedo Arozena
- Unidad de Investigación Hospital Universitario de Canarias, FUNCANIS, Instituto de Tecnologías Biomédicas ULL, and CIBERNED, La Laguna, 38320, Tenerife, Spain
| | | | - Elizabeth M C Fisher
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, MRC Harwell Institute, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RD, UK.
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, WC1N 3BG, UK.
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Zhang G, Li Y, Reuss JL, Liu N, Wu C, Li J, Xu S, Wang F, Hazel TG, Cunningham M, Zhang H, Dai Y, Hong P, Zhang P, He J, Feng H, Lu X, Ulmer JL, Johe KK, Xu R. Stable Intracerebral Transplantation of Neural Stem Cells for the Treatment of Paralysis Due to Ischemic Stroke. Stem Cells Transl Med 2019; 8:999-1007. [PMID: 31241246 PMCID: PMC6766600 DOI: 10.1002/sctm.18-0220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
NSI‐566 is a stable, primary adherent neural stem cell line derived from a single human fetal spinal cord and expanded epigenetically with no genetic modification. This cell line is being tested in clinical trials in the U.S. for treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and spinal cord injury. In a single‐site, phase I study, we evaluated the feasibility and safety of NSI‐566 transplantation for the treatment of hemiparesis due to chronic motor stroke and determined the maximum tolerated dose for future trials. Three cohorts (n = 3 per cohort) were transplanted with one‐time intracerebral injections of 1.2 × 107, 2.4 × 107, or 7.2 × 107 cells. Immunosuppression therapy with tacrolimus was maintained for 28 days. All subjects had sustained chronic motor strokes, verified by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), initiated between 5 and 24 months prior to surgery with modified Rankin Scores [MRSs] of 2, 3, or 4 and Fugl‐Meyer Motor Scores of 55 or less. At the 12‐month visit, the mean Fugl‐Meyer Motor Score (FMMS, total score of 100) for the nine participants showed 16 points of improvement (p = .0078), the mean MRS showed 0.8 points of improvement (p = .031), and the mean National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale showed 3.1 points of improvement (p = .020). For six participants who were followed up for 24 months, these mean changes remained stable. The treatment was well tolerated at all doses. Longitudinal MRI studies showed evidence indicating cavity‐filling by new neural tissue formation in all nine patients. Although this was a small, one‐arm study of feasibility, the results are encouraging to warrant further studies. stem cells translational medicine2019;8:999–1007
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangzhu Zhang
- Affiliated BaYi Brain Hospital, Army General Hospital of PLA, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Li
- Neurology Department, Army General Hospital of PLA, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - James L Reuss
- Prism Clinical Imaging, Inc., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Nan Liu
- Neurology Department, Army General Hospital of PLA, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Cuiying Wu
- Affiliated BaYi Brain Hospital, Army General Hospital of PLA, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingpo Li
- Suzhou Neuralstem Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Suzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuangshuang Xu
- Suzhou Neuralstem Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Suzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Feng Wang
- Suzhou Neuralstem Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Suzhou, People's Republic of China
| | | | - Miles Cunningham
- Laboratory for Neural Reconstruction, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hongtian Zhang
- Affiliated BaYi Brain Hospital, Army General Hospital of PLA, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yiwu Dai
- Affiliated BaYi Brain Hospital, Army General Hospital of PLA, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Peng Hong
- Affiliated BaYi Brain Hospital, Army General Hospital of PLA, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Ping Zhang
- Affiliated BaYi Brain Hospital, Army General Hospital of PLA, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianghong He
- Affiliated BaYi Brain Hospital, Army General Hospital of PLA, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Huiru Feng
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Army General Hospital of PLA, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiangdong Lu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Army General Hospital of PLA, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - John L Ulmer
- Department of Neuroradiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | | | - Ruxiang Xu
- Affiliated BaYi Brain Hospital, Army General Hospital of PLA, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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34
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Goutman SA, Savelieff MG, Sakowski SA, Feldman EL. Stem cell treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a critical overview of early phase trials. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2019; 28:525-543. [PMID: 31189354 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2019.1627324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease of cortical, brainstem, and spinal motor neurons; it causes progressive muscle weakness and atrophy, respiratory failure, and death. No currently available treatment either stops or reverses this disease. Therapeutics to slow, stop, and reverse ALS are needed. Stem cells may be a viable solution to sustain and nurture diseased motor neurons. Several early-stage clinical trials have been launched to assess the potential of stem cells for ALS treatment. Areas covered: Expert opinion: AREAS COVERED This review covers the key advances from early phase clinical trials of stem cell therapy for ALS and identifies promising avenues and key challenges. EXPERT OPINION Clinical trials in humans are still in the nascent stages of development. It will be critical to ensure that powered, well-controlled trials are conducted, that optimal treatment windows are identified, and that the ideal cell type, cell dose, and delivery site and method are determined. Several trials have used more invasive procedures, and ethical concerns of sham procedures on patients in the control arm and on their safety should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen A Goutman
- a Department of Neurology , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , MI , USA.,b Program for Neurology Research & Discovery , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , MI , USA
| | - Masha G Savelieff
- a Department of Neurology , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , MI , USA.,b Program for Neurology Research & Discovery , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , MI , USA
| | - Stacey A Sakowski
- a Department of Neurology , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , MI , USA.,b Program for Neurology Research & Discovery , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , MI , USA
| | - Eva L Feldman
- a Department of Neurology , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , MI , USA.,b Program for Neurology Research & Discovery , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , MI , USA
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35
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Mazzini L, Gelati M, Profico DC, Sorarù G, Ferrari D, Copetti M, Muzi G, Ricciolini C, Carletti S, Giorgi C, Spera C, Frondizi D, Masiero S, Stecco A, Cisari C, Bersano E, De Marchi F, Sarnelli MF, Querin G, Cantello R, Petruzzelli F, Maglione A, Zalfa C, Binda E, Visioli A, Trombetta D, Torres B, Bernardini L, Gaiani A, Massara M, Paolucci S, Boulis NM, Vescovi AL. Results from Phase I Clinical Trial with Intraspinal Injection of Neural Stem Cells in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Long-Term Outcome. Stem Cells Transl Med 2019; 8:887-897. [PMID: 31104357 PMCID: PMC6708070 DOI: 10.1002/sctm.18-0154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The main objective of this phase I trial was to assess the feasibility and safety of microtransplanting human neural stem cell (hNSC) lines into the spinal cord of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Eighteen patients with a definite diagnosis of ALS received microinjections of hNSCs into the gray matter tracts of the lumbar or cervical spinal cord. Patients were monitored before and after transplantation by clinical, psychological, neuroradiological, and neurophysiological assessment. For up to 60 months after surgery, none of the patients manifested severe adverse effects or increased disease progression because of the treatment. Eleven patients died, and two underwent tracheotomy as a result of the natural history of the disease. We detected a transitory decrease in progression of ALS Functional Rating Scale Revised, starting within the first month after surgery and up to 4 months after transplantation. Our results show that transplantation of hNSC is a safe procedure that causes no major deleterious effects over the short or long term. This study is the first example of medical transplantation of a highly standardized cell drug product, which can be reproducibly and stably expanded ex vivo, comprising hNSC that are not immortalized, and are derived from the forebrain of the same two donors throughout this entire study as well as across future trials. Our experimental design provides benefits in terms of enhancing both intra‐ and interstudy reproducibility and homogeneity. Given the potential therapeutic effects of the hNSCs, our observations support undertaking future phase II clinical studies in which increased cell dosages are studied in larger cohorts of patients. stem cells translational medicine2019;8:887&897
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Affiliation(s)
- Letizia Mazzini
- Eastern Piedmont University, "Maggiore della Carità" Hospital, Dipartimento di Neurologia, Novara
| | - Maurizio Gelati
- Laboratorio Cellule Staminali, Cell Factory e Biobanca, Terni Hospital, Italy.,Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, Advanced Therapies Production Unit, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - Daniela Celeste Profico
- Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, Advanced Therapies Production Unit, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - Gianni Sorarù
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Daniela Ferrari
- Biotechnology and Bioscience Department Bicocca University, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Copetti
- Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, Biostatistic Unit, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - Gianmarco Muzi
- Laboratorio Cellule Staminali, Cell Factory e Biobanca, Terni Hospital, Italy
| | - Claudia Ricciolini
- Laboratorio Cellule Staminali, Cell Factory e Biobanca, Terni Hospital, Italy
| | - Sandro Carletti
- Department of Neurosurgery and Neuroscience, "Santa Maria" Hospital, Terni, Italy
| | - Cesare Giorgi
- Department of Neurosurgery and Neuroscience, "Santa Maria" Hospital, Terni, Italy
| | - Cristina Spera
- Department of Neurosurgery and Neuroscience, "Santa Maria" Hospital, Terni, Italy
| | - Domenico Frondizi
- Department of Neurosurgery and Neuroscience, "Santa Maria" Hospital, Terni, Italy
| | - Stefano Masiero
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Alessandro Stecco
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, "Eastern Piedmont" University, "Maggiore della Carità" Hospital, Novara
| | - Carlo Cisari
- Department of Physical Therapy, "Eastern Piedmont" University, "Maggiore della Carità" Hospital, Novara
| | - Enrica Bersano
- Eastern Piedmont University, "Maggiore della Carità" Hospital, Dipartimento di Neurologia, Novara
| | - Fabiola De Marchi
- Eastern Piedmont University, "Maggiore della Carità" Hospital, Dipartimento di Neurologia, Novara
| | - Maria Francesca Sarnelli
- Eastern Piedmont University, "Maggiore della Carità" Hospital, Dipartimento di Neurologia, Novara
| | - Giorgia Querin
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Roberto Cantello
- Eastern Piedmont University, "Maggiore della Carità" Hospital, Dipartimento di Neurologia, Novara
| | - Francesco Petruzzelli
- Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - Annamaria Maglione
- Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - Cristina Zalfa
- Biotechnology and Bioscience Department Bicocca University, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Binda
- Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, Cancer Stem Cells Unit, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | | | - Domenico Trombetta
- Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, Department of Oncology, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - Barbara Torres
- Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, Cytogenetics Unit, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - Laura Bernardini
- Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, Cytogenetics Unit, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | | | - Maurilio Massara
- Eastern Piedmont University, "Maggiore della Carità" Hospital, Dipartimento di Neurologia, Novara
| | - Silvia Paolucci
- Eastern Piedmont University, "Maggiore della Carità" Hospital, Dipartimento di Neurologia, Novara
| | | | - Angelo L Vescovi
- Laboratorio Cellule Staminali, Cell Factory e Biobanca, Terni Hospital, Italy.,Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, Advanced Therapies Production Unit, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy.,Biotechnology and Bioscience Department Bicocca University, Milan, Italy
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36
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Neuroimaging and clinical trials with stem cells in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Present and future perspectives. RADIOLOGIA 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rxeng.2019.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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37
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Zalfa C, Rota Nodari L, Vacchi E, Gelati M, Profico D, Boido M, Binda E, De Filippis L, Copetti M, Garlatti V, Daniele P, Rosati J, De Luca A, Pinos F, Cajola L, Visioli A, Mazzini L, Vercelli A, Svelto M, Vescovi AL, Ferrari D. Transplantation of clinical-grade human neural stem cells reduces neuroinflammation, prolongs survival and delays disease progression in the SOD1 rats. Cell Death Dis 2019; 10:345. [PMID: 31024007 PMCID: PMC6484011 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-019-1582-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Revised: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Stem cells are emerging as a therapeutic option for incurable diseases, such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). However, critical issues are related to their origin as well as to the need to deepen our knowledge of the therapeutic actions exerted by these cells. Here, we investigate the therapeutic potential of clinical-grade human neural stem cells (hNSCs) that have been successfully used in a recently concluded phase I clinical trial for ALS patients (NCT01640067). The hNSCs were transplanted bilaterally into the anterior horns of the lumbar spinal cord (four grafts each, segments L3–L4) of superoxide dismutase 1 G93A transgenic rats (SOD1 rats) at the symptomatic stage. Controls included untreated SOD1 rats (CTRL) and those treated with HBSS (HBSS). Motor symptoms and histological hallmarks of the disease were evaluated at three progressive time points: 15 and 40 days after transplant (DAT), and end stage. Animals were treated by transient immunosuppression (for 15 days, starting at time of transplantation). Under these conditions, hNSCs integrated extensively within the cord, differentiated into neural phenotypes and migrated rostro-caudally, up to 3.77 ± 0.63 cm from the injection site. The transplanted cells delayed decreases in body weight and deterioration of motor performance in the SOD1 rats. At 40DAT, the anterior horns at L3–L4 revealed a higher density of motoneurons and fewer activated astroglial and microglial cells. Accordingly, the overall survival of transplanted rats was significantly enhanced with no rejection of hNSCs observed. We demonstrated that the beneficial effects observed after stem cell transplantation arises from multiple events that counteract several aspects of the disease, a crucial feature for multifactorial diseases, such as ALS. The combination of therapeutic approaches that target different pathogenic mechanisms of the disorder, including pharmacology, molecular therapy and cell transplantation, will increase the chances of a clinically successful therapy for ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Zalfa
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza, 2, 20126, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Rota Nodari
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza, 2, 20126, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Vacchi
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza, 2, 20126, Milan, Italy
| | - Maurizio Gelati
- Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, Production Unit of Advanced Therapies (UPTA), Institute for Stem-Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapies (ISBReMIT), 71013, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - Daniela Profico
- Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, Production Unit of Advanced Therapies (UPTA), Institute for Stem-Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapies (ISBReMIT), 71013, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - Marina Boido
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Elena Binda
- Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, Cancer Stem Cells Unit, Institute for Stem-Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapies (ISBReMIT), 71013, San Giovanni Rotondo, (FG), Italy
| | - Lidia De Filippis
- Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapies (ISBReMIT), 71013, San Giovanni Rotondo, (FG), Italy
| | - Massimiliano Copetti
- Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, Bioinformatics Unit, Viale dei Cappuccini, 71013, San Giovanni Rotondo, (FG), Italy
| | - Valentina Garlatti
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza, 2, 20126, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Daniele
- Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, Molecular Genetics Unit, Viale dei Cappuccini, 71013, San Giovanni Rotondo, (FG), Italy
| | - Jessica Rosati
- Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, Cellular Reprogramming Unit, San Giovanni Rotondo, (FG), Italy
| | - Alessandro De Luca
- Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, Molecular Genetics Unit, Viale dei Cappuccini, 71013, San Giovanni Rotondo, (FG), Italy
| | - Francesca Pinos
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza, 2, 20126, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Cajola
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza, 2, 20126, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Letizia Mazzini
- Centro Regionale Esperto SLA Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria "Maggiore della Carità", Novara, Italy
| | - Alessandro Vercelli
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Maria Svelto
- Department of Bioscience, Biotechnology and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Angelo Luigi Vescovi
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza, 2, 20126, Milan, Italy. .,Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, Production Unit of Advanced Therapies (UPTA), Institute for Stem-Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapies (ISBReMIT), 71013, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy. .,Department of Bioscience, Biotechnology and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy.
| | - Daniela Ferrari
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza, 2, 20126, Milan, Italy.
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38
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Kassi AAY, Mahavadi AK, Clavijo A, Caliz D, Lee SW, Ahmed AI, Yokobori S, Hu Z, Spurlock MS, Wasserman JM, Rivera KN, Nodal S, Powell HR, Di L, Torres R, Leung LY, Rubiano AM, Bullock RM, Gajavelli S. Enduring Neuroprotective Effect of Subacute Neural Stem Cell Transplantation After Penetrating TBI. Front Neurol 2019; 9:1097. [PMID: 30719019 PMCID: PMC6348935 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2018.01097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the largest cause of death and disability of persons under 45 years old, worldwide. Independent of the distribution, outcomes such as disability are associated with huge societal costs. The heterogeneity of TBI and its complicated biological response have helped clarify the limitations of current pharmacological approaches to TBI management. Five decades of effort have made some strides in reducing TBI mortality but little progress has been made to mitigate TBI-induced disability. Lessons learned from the failure of numerous randomized clinical trials and the inability to scale up results from single center clinical trials with neuroprotective agents led to the formation of organizations such as the Neurological Emergencies Treatment Trials (NETT) Network, and international collaborative comparative effectiveness research (CER) to re-orient TBI clinical research. With initiatives such as TRACK-TBI, generating rich and comprehensive human datasets with demographic, clinical, genomic, proteomic, imaging, and detailed outcome data across multiple time points has become the focus of the field in the United States (US). In addition, government institutions such as the US Department of Defense are investing in groups such as Operation Brain Trauma Therapy (OBTT), a multicenter, pre-clinical drug-screening consortium to address the barriers in translation. The consensus from such efforts including “The Lancet Neurology Commission” and current literature is that unmitigated cell death processes, incomplete debris clearance, aberrant neurotoxic immune, and glia cell response induce progressive tissue loss and spatiotemporal magnification of primary TBI. Our analysis suggests that the focus of neuroprotection research needs to shift from protecting dying and injured neurons at acute time points to modulating the aberrant glial response in sub-acute and chronic time points. One unexpected agent with neuroprotective properties that shows promise is transplantation of neural stem cells. In this review we present (i) a short survey of TBI epidemiology and summary of current care, (ii) findings of past neuroprotective clinical trials and possible reasons for failure based upon insights from human and preclinical TBI pathophysiology studies, including our group's inflammation-centered approach, (iii) the unmet need of TBI and unproven treatments and lastly, (iv) present evidence to support the rationale for sub-acute neural stem cell therapy to mediate enduring neuroprotection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anelia A Y Kassi
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Anil K Mahavadi
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Angelica Clavijo
- Neurosurgery Service, INUB-MEDITECH Research Group, El Bosque University, Bogotá, CO, United States
| | - Daniela Caliz
- Neurosurgery Service, INUB-MEDITECH Research Group, El Bosque University, Bogotá, CO, United States
| | - Stephanie W Lee
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Aminul I Ahmed
- Wessex Neurological Centre, University Hospitals Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Shoji Yokobori
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Zhen Hu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Markus S Spurlock
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Joseph M Wasserman
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Karla N Rivera
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Samuel Nodal
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Henry R Powell
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Long Di
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Rolando Torres
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Lai Yee Leung
- Branch of Brain Trauma Neuroprotection and Neurorestoration, Center for Military Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, United States.,Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Andres Mariano Rubiano
- Neurosurgery Service, INUB-MEDITECH Research Group, El Bosque University, Bogotá, CO, United States
| | - Ross M Bullock
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Shyam Gajavelli
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
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39
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Neuroimaging and clinical trials with stem cells in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: present and future perspectives. RADIOLOGIA 2019; 61:183-190. [PMID: 30606510 DOI: 10.1016/j.rx.2018.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Revised: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 11/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a rare neurodegenerative disease with a rapid fatal course. The absence of effective treatments has led to new lines of research, some of which are based on stem cells. Surgical injection into the spinal cord, the most common route of administration of stem cells, has proven safe in trials to test the safety of the procedure. Nevertheless, challenges remain, such as determining the best route of administration or the way of checking the survival of the cells and their interaction with the therapeutic target. To date, the mission of neuroimaging techniques has been to detect lesions and complications in the spine and spinal cord, but neuroimaging also has the potential to supplant histologic study in analyzing the relations between the implanted cells and the therapeutic target, and as biomarkers of the disease, by measuring morphological and functional changes after treatment. These developments would increase the role of radiologists in the clinical management of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
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McGinley LM, Kashlan ON, Bruno ES, Chen KS, Hayes JM, Kashlan SR, Raykin J, Johe K, Murphy GG, Feldman EL. Human neural stem cell transplantation improves cognition in a murine model of Alzheimer's disease. Sci Rep 2018; 8:14776. [PMID: 30283042 PMCID: PMC6170460 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-33017-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Stem cell transplantation offers a potentially transformative approach to treating neurodegenerative disorders. The safety of cellular therapies is established in multiple clinical trials, including our own in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. To initiate similar trials in Alzheimer's disease, efficacious cell lines must be identified. Here, we completed a preclinical proof-of-concept study in the APP/PS1 murine model of Alzheimer's disease. Human neural stem cell transplantation targeted to the fimbria fornix significantly improved cognition in two hippocampal-dependent memory tasks at 4 and 16 weeks post-transplantation. While levels of synapse-related proteins and cholinergic neurons were unaffected, amyloid plaque load was significantly reduced in stem cell transplanted mice and associated with increased recruitment of activated microglia. In vitro, these same neural stem cells induced microglial activation and amyloid phagocytosis, suggesting an immunomodulatory capacity. Although long-term transplantation resulted in significant functional and pathological improvements in APP/PS1 mice, stem cells were not identified by immunohistochemistry or PCR at the study endpoint. These data suggest integration into native tissue or the idea that transient engraftment may be adequate for therapeutic efficacy, reducing the need for continued immunosuppression. Overall, our results support further preclinical development of human neural stem cells as a safe and effective therapy for Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M McGinley
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Osama N Kashlan
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - Kevin S Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - John M Hayes
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Samy R Kashlan
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Julia Raykin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Karl Johe
- Neuralstem, Inc, Germantown, MD, USA
| | - Geoffrey G Murphy
- Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, Molecular & Behavioral Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Eva L Feldman
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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Abati E, Bresolin N, Comi GP, Corti S. Preconditioning and Cellular Engineering to Increase the Survival of Transplanted Neural Stem Cells for Motor Neuron Disease Therapy. Mol Neurobiol 2018; 56:3356-3367. [PMID: 30120734 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-018-1305-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Despite the extensive research effort that has been made in the field, motor neuron diseases, namely, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and spinal muscular atrophies, still represent an overwhelming cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Exogenous neural stem cell-based transplantation approaches have been investigated as multifaceted strategies to both protect and repair upper and lower motor neurons from degeneration and inflammation. Transplanted neural stem cells (NSCs) exert their beneficial effects not only through the replacement of damaged cells but also via bystander immunomodulatory and neurotrophic actions. Notwithstanding these promising findings, the clinical translatability of such techniques is jeopardized by the limited engraftment success and survival of transplanted cells within the hostile disease microenvironment. To overcome this obstacle, different methods to enhance graft survival, stability, and therapeutic potential have been developed, including environmental stress preconditioning, biopolymers scaffolds, and genetic engineering. In this review, we discuss current engineering techniques aimed at the exploitation of the migratory, proliferative, and secretive capacity of NSCs and their relevance for the therapeutic arsenal against motor neuron disorders and other neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Abati
- Dino Ferrari Centre, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), Neuroscience Section, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Nereo Bresolin
- Dino Ferrari Centre, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), Neuroscience Section, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Neurology Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, via F. Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Giacomo Pietro Comi
- Dino Ferrari Centre, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), Neuroscience Section, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Neurology Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, via F. Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefania Corti
- Dino Ferrari Centre, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), Neuroscience Section, University of Milan, Milan, Italy. .,Neurology Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, via F. Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy.
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