Cerebrolysin modulates pronerve growth factor/nerve growth factor ratio and ameliorates the cholinergic deficit in a transgenic model of Alzheimer’s disease


BIBLIOGRAPHIC THERAPEUTIC AGENT ANIMAL MODEL EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN OUTCOMES

Bibliographic

Year of Publication:
2013
Contact PI Name:
Eliezer Masliah
Contact PI Affiliation:
Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
Co-Authors:
Kiren Ubhi, Edward Rockenstein, Ruben Vazquez-Roque, Michael Mante, Chandra Inglis, Christina Patrick, Anthony Adame, Margaret Fahnestock, Edith Doppler, Philip Novak, Herbert Moessler
Primary Reference (PubMED ID):
Funding Source:
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
EVER Neuro Pharma
Study Goal and Principal Findings:

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by degeneration of neocortex, limbic system, and basal forebrain, accompanied by accumulation of amyloid-b and tangle formation. Cerebrolysin (CBL), a peptide mixture with neurotrophic-like effects, is reported to improve cognition and activities of daily living in patients with AD. Likewise, CBL reduces synaptic and behavioral deficits in transgenic (tg) mice overexpressing the human amyloid precursor protein (hAPP). The neuroprotective effects of CBL may involve multiple mechanisms, including signaling regulation, control of APP metabolism, and expression of neurotrophic factors. We investigate the effects of CBL in the hAPP tg model of AD on levels of neurotrophic factors, including pro-nerve growth factor (NGF), NGF, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotropin (NT)-3, NT4, and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF). Immunoblot analysis demonstrated that levels of pro-NGF were increased in saline-treated hAPP tg mice. In contrast, CBL-treated hAPP tg mice showed levels of pro-NGF comparable to control and increased levels of mature NGF. Consistently with these results, immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated increased NGF immunoreactivity in the hippocampus of CBL-treated hAPP tg mice. Protein levels of other neurotrophic factors, including BDNF, NT3, NT4, and CNTF, were unchanged. mRNA levels of NGF and other neurotrophins were also unchanged. Analysis of neurotrophin receptors showed preservation of the levels of TrKA and p75NTR immunoreactivity per cell in the nucleus basalis. Cholinergic cells in the nucleus basalis were reduced in the saline-treated hAPP tg mice, and treatment with CBL reduced these cholinergic deficits. These results suggest that the neurotrophic effects of CBL might involve modulation of the pro-NGF/NGF balance and a concomitant protection of cholinergic neurons.

Therapeutic Agent

Therapeutic Information:
Therapy Type:
Biologic - Peptide
Therapeutic Agent:
Cerebrolysin
Therapeutic Target:
Multi Target

Animal Model

Model Information:
Species:
Mouse
Model Type:
APP
Strain/Genetic Background:
C57BL/6 x DBA/2

Experimental Design

Is the following information reported in the study?:
Power/Sample Size Calculation
Randomized into Groups
Blinded for Treatment
Blinded for Outcome Measures
Pharmacokinetic Measures
Pharmacodynamic Measures
Toxicology Measures
ADME Measures
Biomarkers
Dose
Formulation
Route of Delivery
Duration of Treatment
Frequency of Administration
Age of Animal at the Beginning of Treatment
Age of Animal at the End of Treatment
Sex as a Biological Variable
Study Balanced for Sex as a Biological Variable
Number of Premature Deaths
Number of Excluded Animals
Statistical Plan
Genetic Background
Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria Included
Conflict of Interest

Outcomes

Outcome Measured
Outcome Parameters
Biochemical
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) mRNA
Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor (CNTF)
Glial Cell Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF)
Glial Cell Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF) mRNA
Nerve Growth Factor (NGF)
Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) mRNA
pro-Nerve Growth Factor (pro-NGF)
Neurotrophin 3 (NT3)
Neurotrophin 4 (NT4)
Immunochemistry
Choline Acetyltransferase (ChAT)
Nerve Growth Factor (NGF)
p75
Tyrosine Receptor Kinase A (TrkA)
Microscopy
Neuronal Cell Number
Stereology

Source URL: http://alzped.nia.nih.gov/cerebrolysin-modulates