Enhancement of Motor Function Recovery After Spinal Cord Injury in Mice by Delivery of Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor mRNA

Enhancement of Motor Function Recovery After Spinal Cord Injury in Mice by Delivery of Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor mRNA

Abstract

Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is a debilitating condition that can cause impaired motor function or full paralysis. In the days to weeks following the initial mechanical injury to the spinal cord, inflammation and apoptosis can cause additional damage to the injured tissues. This “secondary injury” impairs recovery. Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor is a secreted protein that has been shown to improve a variety of neurological conditions, including SCI, by promoting neuron survival and synaptic plasticity. This study treated a mouse model of contusion SCI using a single dose of BDNF messenger RNA Nanomicelles prepared with polyethylene glycol polyamino acids block copolymer directly injected into the injured tissue. BDNF levels in the injured spinal cord tissue were approximately doubled by mRNA treatment. Motor function was monitored using the Basso Mouse Scale and Noldus CatWalk Automated Gait Analysis systems for 6 weeks post-injury. BDNF treated mice showed improved motor function recovery, demonstrating the feasibility of mRNA delivery to treat SCI.

Journal Article

JOURNAL: Molecular Therapy - Nucleic Acids

TITLE:Enhancement of Motor Function Recovery After Spinal Cord Injury in Mice by Delivery of Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor mRNA

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.omtn.2019.06.016

Correspondence to

Keiji ITAKA,M.D., Ph.D.,Professor
Department of Biofunction Research
Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering,
Tokyo Medical and Dental University(TMDU)
E-mail:itaka.bif(at)tmd.ac.jp

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