Methods and compositions for nerve regeneration

Patent Number: 7,374,760

Stem cell therapy has successfully been used in various animal models of neurodegenerative diseases including cerebral palsy, demyelinating conditions, and ALS. Stem cells in many situations do not need to differentiate into the cell of therapeutic interest to mediate effects but may simply provide "trophic support" such as production of various growth factors that allow for endogenous stem cells to mediate therapeutic effects. However, in areas such as embryonic stem cells, where the main goal is the generation of new neurons from the exogenously administered stem cells, it will be very important to develop ways to guide the new neurons to properly integrate with the existing ones. The current patent addresses this issue.

The inventors found that the neuronal axons that develop in the spinal cord are regulated by various members of the Wnt pathway, and accordingly claims ways of manipulating this pathway. The patent has one independent claim that is directed towards "a method of modulating the directional growth of a mammalian neuron comprising contacting the neuron with an inhibitor of a Wnt receptor, wherein the inhibitor is an anti-Ryk antibody."

Other patents have been issued covering the growth and migration of neurons, for example patent 7,304,129 covers peptides that induce migration and regeneration of axons.

View this patent on the USPTO website.