Method of stimulating prosaposin receptor activity - Patents

Method of stimulating prosaposin receptor activity
Agent: Kenyon & Kenyon LLP - New York, NY, US
Inventors: John S. O'Brien, D. Elliot Parks, Susan L. O'Brien
Applicaton #: 20060287240
Class: 514014000 (USPTO)
12/21/06

A method for stimulating prosaposin receptor activity in a cell by transfecting the cell with a DNA or RNA molecule encoding prosaposin or a prosaposin receptor agonist. The DNA or RNA molecule is administered either in vivo or used to transfect neural cells or neural stem cells ex vivo followed by reintroduction of the cells into an individual.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a method of stimulating prosaposin receptor activity by transfecting cells with DNA or RNA encoding prosaposin or a prosaposin receptor agonist.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] One embodiment of the present invention is the use of an isolated DNA or RNA molecule operably encoding prosaposin or a prosaposin receptor agonist for treatment of neurodegenerative or myelination disorders. Preferably, the prosaposin receptor agonist is selected from the group consisting of saposin C, a peptide including amino acids 18-29 of saposin C and a peptide including the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 3. In one aspect of this preferred embodiment, the DNA or RNA molecule is in an expression vector. Preferably, the expression vector is selected from the group consisting of an adenoviral vector, retroviral vector, plasmid vector and plasmid-liposome vector. Advantageously, the disorder is selected from the group consisting of multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, macular degeneration, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophy, post-polio syndrome, muscular dystrophies, peripheral neuropathies, stroke and peripheral nerve injuries. In another aspect of this preferred embodiment, the disorder arises from a disorder arising from proinflammatory cytokine-induced apoptosis. Preferably, the disorder is a cerebral infarct or myocardial infarct. In another aspect of this preferred embodiment, the medicament is in a form suitable for an administration route selected from the group consisting of intravenous, intracerebrospinal, intramuscular, intradermal, subcutaneous, intracranial, epidural, topical, intranasal, transmucosal and oral. Preferably, the medicament is for a human. In another aspect of this preferred embodiment, the DNA or RNA molecule has been transfected or infected into neural cells from a mammal. Advantageously, the DNA or RNA molecule is in an expression vector. Preferably, the expression vector is selected from the group selected from the group consisting of an adenoviral vector, retroviral vector, plasmid vector and plasmid-liposome vector. In another aspect of this preferred embodiment, the cells are encapsulated. Preferably, the encapsulated cells are suitable for intrathecal or intracranial implantation. In another aspect of this preferred embodiment, the cells are neural stem cells. Preferably, the stem cells are precursors of cells selected from the group consisting of neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. Preferably, the medicament comprises a DNA molecule operably encoding the prosaposin receptor agonist.
[0010] The present invention also provides a viral vector, comprising a DNA or RNA molecule operably encoding a prosaposin receptor agonist.
[0011] Another embodiment of the invention is a method for producing recombinant prosaposin or a prosaposin receptor agonist, comprising the steop of:administering to a mammal an isolated DNA or RNA molecule operably encoding prosaposin or a prosaposin receptor agonist; isolating body fluid from a mammal; and isolating the prosaposin or prosaposin receptor agonist from the body fluid. Preferably, the body fluid is selected from the group consisting of blood, milk, cerebrospinal fluid and semen.
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