Methods of using immunophilin binding drugs to improve integration and survival of neuronal cell transplants

Patent Number: 7041283

This patent teaches the use of immunophilin binding agents for culturing of neuronal cells so as to use for cellular therapy. The patent has 2 independent claims, both covering a method of treatment of a neurodegenerative illness by administration of cells that have been cultured with immunophilin binding agents. This patent is very interesting, not from the perspective of cell therapy per se, but primarily because it demonstrates neuron-survival and enhancing function using drugs that are already clinically available. Immunophilin binding agents include the common immune suppressants cyclosporin, tacrilomus, and sirolimus. Although not covered by the claims, this patent suggests that it may be possible to achieve neuron growth or at least survival by pharmacological administration of immunophilins. In fact, non-immunosuppressive immunophilins proposed to be used for neuroprotection are currently under development by Guilford Pharmaceuticals Inc (Steiner JP, et al. Neurotrophic actions of nonimmunosuppressive analogues of immunosuppressive drugs FK506, rapamycin and cyclosporin A. Nat Med. 1997 Apr;3(4):421-8). The fact that immune suppressants seem to increase neuronal functions, may suggest an actual positive benefit to allotransplantation plus immune suppression in regenerative medicine.

View this patent on the USPTO website.