Lack of a synergistic effect of a non-viral ALS gene therapy based on BDNF and a TTC fusion molecule.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is one of the most devastating neurodegenerative diseases. Neurotrophic factors have been widely tested to counteract neurodegenerative conditions, despite their unspecific neuronal access. The non-toxic C-terminal fragment of the tetanus toxin (TTC) heavy chain has been studied not only as a carrier molecule to the CNS but also as a neuroprotective agent. Because the neurotrophic effects of BDNF have been demonstrated in vitro and in vivo, the question addressed in this work is whether a fusion molecule of BDNF-TTC may have a synergistic effect and enhance the neuroprotective properties of TTC alone in a mouse model of ALS.

Methods

Recombinant plasmid constructs (pCMV-TTC and pCMV-BDNF-TTC) were injected into the quadriceps fem

SUBMITTER: Calvo AC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3072305 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature