Rescue of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons after implantation of genetically modified cells producing recombinant NGF

Polymer-Encapsulated Schwannoma Cells Expressing Human Nerve Growth Factor Promote the Survival of Cholinergic Neurons after a Fimbria-Fornix Transection

Many investigators have recently used genetically modified primary fibroblasts of fibroblast cell lines (e.g., 3T3, 208F, or BHK cells) to deliver recombinant nerve growth factor (NGF) into the CNS. In the current study, SCT-1 cells, a Schwannoma cell line derived from a transgenic mouse, were transfected with a human NGF (hNGF) cDNA. After selection, these cells were encased within a polymer capsule and implanted into the ventricles of fimbria-fornix lesioned rats. Encapsulated, non-transfected cells served as controls. Results demonstrated that the hNGF transgene is expressed for at least 3 weeks after implantation. Moreover, the cells did not overgrow the capsule. Recombinant hNGF was able to save >70% of lesioned cholinergic neurons, as assessed by NGF-receptor (NGFr) and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) immunohistochemistry, from cell death. The number of cholinergic neurons in animals that received control capsules (i.e., nontransfected SCT-1 cells) was similar to lesion only animals (i.e., ~27% and ~33% for NGFr- and ChAT-positive neurons, respectively. These results show that SCT-1 cells can be used to deliver biologically active hNGF into the lesioned rat brain.

Effects of Intraventricular Encapsulated Hngf-Secreting Fibroblasts in Aged Rats

Exogenous NGF administered into the central nervous system (CNS) has been reported to improve cognitive function in aged rats. However, concerns have been expressed about the risks involved with supplying NGF to the CNS. In this study, baby hamster kidney cells (BHK) genetically modified to secrete human NGF (hNGF) were encapsulated in semipermeable membranes and implanted intraventricularly. ChAT/LNGFR-positive basal forebrain neurons were shown to atrophy and degenerate with age, especially in cognitively impaired rats. The encapsulated BHK-NGF cells produced less than 10% of doses previously reported to be effective, but this was sufficient to increase the size of ChAT/LNGFR-positive basal forebrain neurons in the aged and learning-impaired rats to the size of the neurons in young healthy rats. The hNGF from these encapsulated cells also improved performance in a repeated-acquisition version of the Morris water maze spatial learning task in learning-impaired 20.6- and 26.7- mo-old rats. Furthermore, there was no evidence that these doses of hNGF impaired Morris water maze performance in the youngest 3.3-5.4 mo rats, and analyses of mortality rates, body weights, somatosensory thresholds, potential hyperalgesia, and activity levels, suggested that these levels of exogenous hNGF are not toxic or harmful to aged rats. These results suggest that CNS-implanted semipermeable membranes, containing genetically modified xenogeneic cells continuously producing these levels of hNGF, attenuate age-related cognitive deficits in nonimmunosuppressed aged rats, and that both the surgical implantation procedure and long-term exposure to low doses of hNGF appear safe in aged rats.

Establishment of a Stable Glutamate Decarboxylase (Gad) Expressing Cell-Line by Transfection

We have constructed a recombinant DNA clone containing the gene encoding glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), which catalyzes the synthesis of γ-amino-butyric acid (GABA). This recombinant DNA was then transfected into mouse NIH-3T3 fibroblast cells for transplantation into Swiss-Web mice. In order to construct a plasmid capable of transcribing the DNA insert in the eucaryotic cells, the GAD gene was removed from pSP65-13, and was ligated into the vector pSV2neo, which contains the SV40 early promoter, and the neomycin resistance gene. The pSV2GAD was then transfected into NIH-3T3 fibroblasts by calcium phosphate precipitation, or by electroporation. The transfected fibroblasts were then selected with antibiotic G418 for amplification. The transient expression of GAD in the transfected fibroblasts was detected by immunocytochemical staining using anti-GAD antibody. A small population of GAD immunoreactive cells were clearly stained, and were easily distinguished from the majority of unstained background cells. These GAD-immunoreactive cells were not seen in either mock-transfected, or pSV2neo-transfected cells (vector-alone control). The transfected fibroblasts were continuously selected with antibiotic G418. Six out of 35 subcultures that had GAD-positive immunostaining in the cell lines were selected. Granular GAD-positive staining was observed in the cytoplasm and fiber extensions of the transfected cell lines in varying densities. The GAD-mRNA was also detected in the subcultures by in situ hybridization using a 35S-labeled 369-nucleotide riboprobe in pBluescript. The GAD-transfected NIH-3T3 cells were then transplanted into Swiss-Web mice. Fifteen to 30 days later, transplanted animals were perfused for identification. These cells were first identified with anti-fibronectin antibody, and the adjacent sections with anti-GAD or anti-GABA antibodies. All the transplants are fibronectin-positive. Both GAD- and GABA-positive cells were observed in the transplant.

Pharmacological, Cell, and Gene Therapy Strategies to Promote Spinal Cord Regeneration

In this review, recent studies using pharmacological treatment, cell transplantation, and gene therapy to promote regeneration of the injured spinal cord in animal models will be summarized. Pharmacological and cell transplantation treatments generally revealed some degree of effect on the regeneration of the injured ascending and descending tracts, but further improvements to achieve a more significant functional recovery are necessary. The use of gene therapy to promote repair of the injured nervous system is a relatively new concept. It is based on the development of methods for delivering therapeutic genes to neurons, glia cells, or nonneural cells. Direct in vivo gene transfer or gene transfer in combination with (neuro)transplantation (ex vivo gene transfer) appeared powerful strategies to promote neuronal survival and axonal regrowth following traumatic injury to the central nervous system. Recent advances in understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms that govern neuronal survival and neurite outgrowth have enabled the design of experiments aimed at viral vector-mediated transfer of genes encoding neurotrophic factors, growth-associated proteins, cell adhesion molecules, and antiapoptotic genes. Central to the success of these approaches was the development of efficient, nontoxic vectors for gene delivery and the acquirement of the appropriate (genetically modified) cells for neurotransplantation. Direct gene transfer in the nervous system was first achieved with herpes viral and E1-deleted adenoviral vectors. Both vector systems are problematic in that these vectors elicit immunogenic and cytotoxic responses. Adeno-associated viral vectors and lentiviral vectors constitute improved gene delivery systems and are beginning to be applied in neuroregeneration research of the spinal cord. Ex vivo approaches were initially based on the implantation of genetically modified fibroblasts. More recently, transduced Schwann cells, genetically modified pieces of peripheral nerve, and olfactory ensheathing glia have been used as implants into the injured spinal cord.

Mechanisms and use of neural transplants for brain repair

Under appropriate conditions, neural tissues transplanted into the adult mammalian brain can survive, integrate, and function so as to influence the behavior of the host, opening the prospect of repairing neuronal damage, and alleviating symptoms associated with neuronal injury or neurodegenerative disease. Alternative mechanisms of action have been postulated: nonspecific effects of surgery; neurotrophic and neuroprotective influences on disease progression and host plasticity; diffuse or locally regulated pharmacological delivery of deficient neurochemicals, neurotransmitters, or neurohormones; restitution of the neuronal and glial environment necessary for proper host neuronal support and processing; promoting local and long-distance host and graft axon growth; formation of reciprocal connections and reconstruction of local circuits within the host brain; and up to full integration and reconstruction of fully functional host neuronal networks. Analysis of neural transplants in a broad range of anatomical systems and disease models, on simple and complex classes of behavioral function and information processing, have indicated that all of these alternative mechanisms are likely to contribute in different circumstances. Thus, there is not a single or typical mode of graft function; rather grafts can and do function in multiple ways, specific to each particular context. Consequently, to develop an effective cell-based therapy, multiple dimensions must be considered: the target disease pathogenesis; the neurodegenerative basis of each type of physiological dysfunction or behavioral symptom; the nature of the repair required to alleviate or remediate the functional impairments of particular clinical relevance; and identification of a suitable cell source or delivery system, along with the site and method of implantation, that can achieve the sought for repair and recovery.

Neurotrophic factor therapy for Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative movement disorder for which there is currently no effective therapy. Over the past several decades, there has been a considerable interest in neuroprotective therapies using trophic factors to alleviate the symptoms of PD. Neurotrophic factors (NTFs) are a class of molecules that influence a number of neuronal functions, including cell survival and axonal growth. Experimental studies in animal models suggest that members of neurotrophin family and GDNF family of ligands (GFLs) have the potent ability to protect degenerating dopamine neurons as well as promote regeneration of the nigrostriatal dopamine system. In clinical trials, although no serious adverse events related to the NTF therapy has been reported in patients, they remain inconclusive. In this chapter, we attempt to give a brief overview on several different growth factors that have been explored for use in animal models of PD and those already used in PD patients.

Zuckerkandl's organ improves long-term survival and function of neural stem cell derived dopaminergic neurons in Parkinsonian rats

Transplantation of neural stem cells (NSC) derived dopamine (DA) neurons has emerged as an alternative approach to fetal neural cell transplantation in Parkinson's disease (PD). However, similar to fetal neural cell, survival of these neurons following transplantation is also limited due to limited striatal reinnervation (graft with dense neuronal core), limited host-graft interaction, poor axonal outgrowth, lack of continuous neurotrophic factors supply and principally an absence of cell adhesion molecules mediated appropriate developmental cues. In the present study, an attempt has been made to increase survival and function of NSC derived DA neurons, by co-grafting with Zuckerkandl's organ (a paraneural organ that expresses neurotrophic factors as well as cell adhesion molecules); to provide continuous NTF support and developmental cues to transplanted DA neurons in the rat model of PD. 24 weeks post transplantation, a significant number of surviving functional NSC derived DA neurons were observed in the co-transplanted group as evident by an increase in the number of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive (TH-IR) neurons, TH-IR fiber density, TH-mRNA expression and TH-protein level at the transplantation site (striatum). Significant behavioral recovery (amphetamine induced stereotypy and locomotor activity) and neurochemical recovery (DA-D2 receptor binding and DA and DOPAC levels at the transplant site) were also observed in the NSC+ZKO co-transplanted group as compared to the NSC or ZKO alone transplanted group. In vivo results were further substantiated by in vitro studies, which suggest that ZKO increases the NSC derived DA neuronal survival, differentiation, DA release and neurite outgrowth as well as protects against 6-OHDA toxicity in co-culture condition. The present study suggests that long-term and continuous NTF support provided by ZKO to the transplanted NSC derived DA neurons, helped in their better survival, axonal arborization and integration with host cells, leading to long-term functional restoration in the rat model of PD.

The problems of delivering neuroactive molecules to the CNS

At present, the aetiologies of many neurological and neurodegenerative diseases are unknown. However, emergence of a better understanding of these diseases, at both cellular and molecular levels, opens up the possibility of replacement therapies. The presence of the blood-brain barrier complicates the delivery of molecules to the central nervous system. Numerous attempts have been made to bypass this barrier either by delivering the drugs directly into the brain or by transplanting cells to produce the missing molecules in situ. This review explores several methods for delivering bioactive molecules into the CNS, including the use of permeabilizers, osmotic pumps, slow polymer release systems and transplantation of cells with or without the use of the encapsulation technology.

Transplantation of NGF secreting primary monocytes counteracts NMDA-induced cell death of rat cholinergic neurons in vivo

Cholinergic neurons of the basal forebrain degenerate in Alzheimer's disease. Nerve growth factor (NGF) is so far the most potent molecule to counteract this neurodegeneration; however, the delivery of NGF into the brain is very difficult. The aim of the present study was to observe, if transplanted primary monocytes secreting NGF may counteract N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-induced cell death of cholinergic neurons of the basal nucleus of Meynert (nBM) in vivo. Monocytes were purified by indirect magnetic separation from rat blood. Recombinant NGF was introduced into cells using the novel protein-delivery reagent BioPORTERtrade mark and secretion of NGF was measured by ELISA. Monocytes secreted approximately 4000 pg NGF/day/1 x 10(6) cells. Injection of monocytes onto organotypic brain slices of the nBM in vitro protected cholinergic neurons against cell death. When monocytes were transplanted in vivo into the lateral ventricle, the cells survived for up to 7 days and counteracted the NMDA-induced cell death of cholinergic neurons. In conclusion, primary monocytes secreting recombinant NGF are useful to deliver NGF directly into the brain.

Neurotrophin gene therapy for Alzheimer’s disease

In vitro and in vivo studies conducted over the last 20 years have shown that neurotrophic factors can prevent neuronal cell death and augment neuronal function in rodent and nonhuman primate models of neurodegenerative diseases. The translation of these studies into clinical trials has, initially, been slowed by the inability to deliver growth factors in a localized manner at sufficiently high doses to obtain therapeutic effects in the adult brain, without significant adverse effects. Recent progress in the targeted delivery of neurotrophic factors by gene therapy allows investigators to determine for the first time, in clinical trials, whether growth factors can influence neuronal function in the diseased human nervous system. A Phase I study of cellular nerve growth factor delivery in subjects with Alzheimer’s disease has provided promising results. Additional studies examining the neuroprotective effects of glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor family ligands in Parkinson’s disease have been conducted, or are planned for the near future. Taken together, these studies might be able to determine whether therapeutic effects observed in animal models of neuronal degeneration can be translated into novel, neuroprotective treatments for neurological disease.

Nerve growth factor increases survival of dopaminergic graft, rescue nigral dopaminergic neurons and restores functional deficits in rat model of Parkinson's disease

In the present study, an attempt has been made to explore the neuroprotective and neurorescue effects of nerve growth factor (NGF) on grafted cells and on host nigral dopaminergic neurons, respectively. NGF was co-transplanted with fetal ventral mesencephalic cells (VMC) in the striatum of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesioned rat model of Parkinson's disease (PD). In the other groups fetal VMC and NGF were transplanted alone. Twelve weeks post-transplantation, a significant restoration was observed in D-amphetamine induced rotations (stereotypy), spontaneous locomotor activity, striatal and nigral dopamine (DA) and 3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl acetic acid (DOPAC) levels in co-transplanted rats as compared to VMC alone transplanted rats. Higher number of surviving tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive (TH-ir) neurons and significantly increased fiber outgrowth from graft was evident in co-transplanted rats as compared to VMC alone transplanted rats. Further, a significant increase was also observed in substantia nigra TH-ir neurons count in co-transplanted rats, exhibiting a potential neuroprotective and neurorescue effects of NGF on nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons. The results suggest that NGF at the time of transplantation exhibits neuroprotective effect on transplanted VMC as well as neurorescue effect on remaining host nigral dopaminergic neurons, leading to better functional restoration.

Nerve growth factor and cholinergic CNS neurons studied in organotypic brain slices. Implication in Alzheimer's disease?

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a potent growth factor for cholinergic neurons. The aim of the present study was to investigate if NGF affects cholinergic neurons of the basal nucleus of Meynert (nBM) in organotypic brain slices. In single nBM slices cholinergic neurons rapidly degenerated when incubated without NGF. The number of remaining neurons was rescued by NGF application at any time point. When nBM slices were co-cultured with a cortex slice the number of cholinergic neurons was significantly increased pointing to a trophic influence of the cortex. Incubation with acetylcholine precursors did not affect the survival of cholinergic neurons. There was no significant difference when postnatal day 3 or day 10 nBM slices were cultured. In conclusion, NGF is the most potent growth factor for cholinergic neurons and is a promising candidate for treating Alzheimers disease, however, the delivery of NGF to the brain must the solved.

Improvement of spatial learning and memory after adenovirus-mediated transfer of the nerve growth factor gene to aged rat brain

Adenovirus-mediated transfer of the nerve growth factor gene promotes significant recovery of age-related cholinergic neuronal deficits in aged rats, but the effects of such treatment on cognitive dysfunction remain unclear. Herein we report a beneficial effect of first-generation adenovirus-mediated nerve growth factor gene transfer (AdNGF) on the spatial learning and memory of aged rats. The NGF protein was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in cerebrospinal fluid as early as 3 days after gene transfer and was expressed for at least 30 days. Escape latency in the Morris water maze hidden-platform test was significantly improved on day 8 postinoculation in memory-impaired rats treated with AdNGF as well as at later testing intervals. Ultimately, the escape latency values for the AdNGF group become indistinguishable from those for aged rats with normal learning capacity. Immunohistochemical analysis of septal cholinergic neurons for choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) showed significant increases in both the number and somal distribution of ChAT-positive cells after inoculation of memory-impaired rats with AdNGF. Improvement in memory performance was positively correlated with increases in both NGF concentration in cerebrospinal fluid (r = 0.73, p = 0.005) and the number of ChAT-staining cells (r = 0.77, p = 0.0022). We conclude that AdNGF can improve cognitive function in memory-impaired aged rats and, with refinements in vector-driven expression of the transgene, may prove suitable for use in humans.

Environmental influences on brain neurotrophins in rats

Environmental factors can have profound influences on the brain. Enriching environments with physical, social and sensory stimuli are now established to be beneficial to brain development and ageing. A multitude of responses from cellular and molecular mechanisms to macroscopic changes in neural morphology and neurogenesis have been considered in the context for evidences that environmental inputs can regulate brain plasticity in the rat at all stages of life. Data from our laboratory have revealed that enriched environment increased nerve growth factor (NGF) gene expression and protein levels in the hippocampus, and this may contribute to events underlying environmentally induced neural plasticity. Because neurotrophic factors are essential for neural development and survival, they are likely to be involved in the cerebral consequences modified by enriched experiences.

Developmentally Regulated Expression of HDNF/NT-3 mRNA in Rat Spinal Cord Motoneurons and Expression of BDNF mRNA in Embryonic Dorsal Root Ganglion

Northern blot analysis was used to demonstrate high levels of hippocampus-derived neurotrophic factor/neurotrophin-3 (HDNF/NT-3) mRNA in the embryonic day (E) 13 - 14 and 15 - 16 spinal cord. The level decreased at E18 - 19 and remained the same until postnatal day (P) 1, after which it decreased further to a level below the detection limit in the adult. In situ hybridization revealed that the NT-3 mRNA detected in the developing spinal cord was derived from motoneurons and the decrease seen at E18 - 19 was caused by a reduction in the number of motoneurons expressing NT-3 mRNA. The distribution of NT-3 mRNA-expressing cells in the E15 spinal cord was very similar to the distribution of cells expressing choline acetyltransferase or nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR) mRNA. Moreover, a striking similarity between the developmentally regulated expression of NT-3 and NGFR mRNA was noted in spinal cord motoneurons. A subpopulation of all neurons in the dorsal root ganglia expressed brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA from E13, the earliest time examined, to adulthood. These results are consistent with a trophic role of NT-3 for proprioceptive sensory neurons innervating the ventral horn, and imply a local action of BDNF for developing sensory neurons within the dorsal root ganglia.

A 28-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled study with Cerebrolysin in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease

Cerebrolysin (Cere) is a compound with neurotrophic activity which has been shown to be effective in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in earlier trials. The efficacy and safety of repeated treatments with Cere were investigated in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study. One hundred and forty-nine patients were enrolled (76 Cere; 73 placebo). Patients received i.v. infusions of 30 ml Cere or placebo 5 days per week for 4 weeks. This treatment was repeated after a 2-month therapy-free interval. Effects on cognition and clinical global impressions were evaluated 4, 12, 16, and 28 weeks after the beginning of the infusions using the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) and the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subpart (ADAS-cog). All assessments, including the 28-week follow-up visit were performed under double-blind conditions. At week 16, the responder rate of the Cere group was 63.5% on the CGI, compared to 41.4% in the placebo group (P < 0.004). In the ADAS-cog, an efficacy difference of 3.2 points in favour of Cere was observed (P < 0.0001). Notably, improvements were largely maintained in the Cere group until week 28, 3 months after the end of treatment. Adverse events were recorded in 43% of Cere and 38% of placebo patients. Cere treatment was well tolerated and led to significant improvement in cognition and global clinical impression. A sustained benefit was still evident 3 months after drug withdrawal.

Nerve growth factor and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor restore the cholinergic neuronal phenotype in organotypic brain slices of the basal nucleus of Meynert

Loss of cholinergic neurons is found in the medial septum and nucleus basalis of Meynert in Alzheimer's disease. Recent observations suggest that cholinergic neurons down-regulate their phenotype and that growth factors may rescue cholinergic neurons. The aim of this study was to investigate whether cholinergic neurons of the basal nucleus of Meynert can be cultured in rat organotypic slices, and if nerve growth factor and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor can rescue the cholinergic phenotype. In the organotypic slices, glial cells, GABAergic and cholinergic neurons were visualized using immunohistochemistry. The number of cholinergic neurons was found to be very low in slices cultured without exogenous nerve growth factor. Analysis of nerve growth factor tissue levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay revealed very low endogenous tissue levels. When slices were incubated with 100ng/ml nerve growth factor during the initial phase of culturing, a stable expression of choline acetyltransferase was found for up to several weeks. After eight weeks in culture with nerve growth factor or two to three weeks after nerve growth factor withdrawal, numbers of detected cholinergic neurons decreased. Neurons incubated with nerve growth factor displayed a significantly enlarged cell soma compared to neurons without growth factors. In cultures incubated for up to nine weeks, it was also found that glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor was capable of restoring the cholinergic phenotype. The low-affinity p75 and high-affinity trkA receptors, as well as the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor receptor GFRalpha-1, could be visualized in slices using immunohistochemistry. In conclusion, it is shown that, in the axotomized organotypic slice model, the number of cholinergic neurons is decreased, but can be partly restored by nerve growth factor and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor.

Absence of p75(NTR) expression reduces nerve growth factor immunolocalization in cholinergic septal neurons

Septal axons provide a cholinergic innervation to the nerve growth factor (NGF)-producing neurons of the mammalian hippocampus. These cholinergic septal afferents are capable of responding to target-derived NGF because they possess trkA and p75(NTR), the two transmembrane receptors that bind NGF and activate ligand-mediated intracellular signaling. To assess the relative importance of p75(NTR) expression for the responsiveness of cholinergic septal neurons to hippocampally derived NGF, we used three lines of mutant and/or transgenic mice: p75(-/-) mice (having two mutated alleles of the p75(NTR) gene), NGF/p75(+/+) mice (transgenic animals overexpressing NGF within central glial cells and having two normal alleles of the p75(NTR) gene), and NGF/p75(-/-) mice (NGF transgenic animals having two mutated alleles of the p75(NTR) gene). BALB/c and C57B1/6 mice (background strains for the mutant and transgenic lines of mice) were used as controls. Both lines of NGF transgenic mice possess elevated levels of NGF protein in the hippocampus and septal region, irrespective of p75(NTR) expression. BALB/c and C57Bl/6 mice display comparably lower levels of NGF protein in both tissues. Despite differing levels of NGF protein, the ratios of hippocampal to septal NGF levels are similar among BALB/c, C57B1/6, and NGF/p75(+/+) mice. Both p75(-/-) and NGF/p75(-/-) mice, on the other hand, have markedly elevated ratios of NGF protein between these two tissues. The lack of p75(NTR) expression also results in a pronounced absence of NGF immunoreactivity in cholinergic septal neurons of p75(-/-) and NGF/p75(-/-) mice. BALB/c, C57B1/6, and NGF/p75(+/+) mice, on the other hand, display NGF immunoreactivity that appears as discrete granules scattered through the cytoplasm of cholinergic septal neurons. Elevated levels of NGF in the hippocampus and septal region coincide with hypertrophy of cholinergic septal neurons of NGF/p75(+/+) mice but not of NGF/p75(-/-) mice. Levels of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) enzyme activity are, however, elevated in the septal region and hippocampus of both NGF/p75(+/+) and NGF/p75(-/-) mice, compared with control mice. These data indicate that an absence of functional p75(NTR) expression disrupts the normal cellular immunolocalization of NGF by cholinergic septal neurons but does not affect the ability of these neurons to respond to elevated levels of NGF, as determined by ChAT activity.

Nerve growth factor treatment in dementia

Millions of people are affected by Alzheimer disease. As longevity increases, so will the number of patients with dementia. This has led to an intense search for successful treatment strategies. One area of interest is neurotrophic factors. Brain development and neuronal maintenance, as well as protective efforts, are mediated by a large number of different neurotrophic factors acting on specific receptors. In neurodegenerative disorders, there may be a possibility of rescuing degenerating neurons and stimulating terminal outgrowth with use of neurotrophic factors. The first neurotrophic factor discovered was nerve growth factor (NGF). A wealth of animal studies have shown that cholinergic neurons are NGF sensitive and NGF dependent, which is especially interesting in cognitive disorders, in which central cholinergic projections are important for cognitive function. In Alzheimer disease, cholinergic neurons have been shown to degenerate. This suggests that NGF may be used to pharmacologically counteract cholinergic degeneration and/or induce terminal sprouting in Alzheimer disease. Data from animal studies, as well as from the author's recent clinical trial, in which NGF was infused to the lateral ventricle in patients with Alzheimer disease, will be presented. Effects of NGF on cognition, as well as issues regarding dosage, side effects, and alternative ways of administering NGF, will be discussed.

Cell delivery to the central nervous system

A dysfunctional central nervous system (CNS) resulting from neurological disorders and diseases impacts all of humanity. The outcome presents a staggering health care issue with a tremendous potential for developing interventive therapies. The delivery of therapeutic molecules to the CNS has been hampered by the presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). To circumvent this barrier, putative therapeutic molecules have been delivered to the CNS by such methods as pumps/osmotic pumps, osmotic opening of the BBB, sustained polymer release systems and cell delivery via site-specific transplantation of cells. This review presents an overview of some of the CNS delivery technologies with special emphasis on transplantation of cells with and without the use of polymer encapsulation technology.

Effects of elevated levels of nerve growth factor on the septohippocampal system in transgenic mice

Elevating target-derived levels of nerve growth factor (NGF) in peripheral organs of postnatal mammals is known to enhance the survival of postganglionic sympathetic neurons and to promote the terminal arborization of sympathetic axons within such NGF-rich target tissues. Although increasing levels of NGF in the central nervous system can ameliorate cholinergic function of damaged and aged neurons of the medial septum, it remains undetermined whether the postnatal development of this neuronal population and their projections that innervate the hippocampus are likewise affected by elevated levels of target-derived NGF. To address this question, the cholinergic septohippocampal pathway was examined in adult transgenic mice which display elevated levels of NGF protein production in the dorsal hippocampus during postnatal development. Adult transgenic mice possessed a cholinergic population of septal neurons approximately 15% larger than that seen in age-matched control animals. Despite increased numbers of cholinergic septal neurons, as well as elevated levels of hippocampal NGF, the density of cholinergic septal axons in the outer molecular layer of the hippocampal dentate gyrus of adult transgenic animals was comparable with that found in wild-type controls. These results reveal that elevating levels of target-derived NGF during postnatal development can increase the population size of the cholinergic septal neurons but does not alter their pattern of afferent innervation in the hippocampus of adult mice.

Amelioration of ischaemia-induced neuronal death in the rat striatum by NGF-secreting neural stem cells

The objective of the present study was to explore whether grafted immortalized neural stem cells, genetically modified to secrete nerve growth factor (NGF), can ameliorate neuronal death in the adult rat striatum following transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). One week after cell implantation in the striatum, animals were subjected to 30 min of MCAO. Striatal damage was evaluated at the cellular level after 48 h of recirculation using immunocytochemical and stereological techniques. The ischaemic insult caused an extensive degeneration of projection neurons, immunoreactive for dopamine- and adenosine 3': 5'-monophosphate-regulated phosphoprotein with a molecular weight of 32 kilodaltons (DARPP-32). 3H-Thymidine autoradiography demonstrated surviving grafted cells in the lesioned striatum in all transplanted rats. The loss of striatal projection neurons was significantly reduced (by an average of 45%) in animals with NGF-secreting grafts, whereas control cells, not producing NGF, had no effect. The neuroprotective action of NGF-secreting grafts was also observed when the total number of striatal neurons immunopositive for the neuronal marker NeuN was quantified, as well as in cresyl violet-stained sections. The present findings indicate that administration of NGF by ex vivo gene transfer and grafting of neural stem cells can ameliorate death of striatal projection neurons caused by transient focal ischaemia.

Position-independent expression of a human nerve growth factor-luciferase reporter gene cloned on a yeast artificial chromosome vector

Two yeast artificial chromosomes containing the entire human nerve growth factor gene were isolated and mapped. By homologous recombination a luciferase gene was precisely engineered into the coding portion of the NGF gene and a neomycin selection marker was placed adjacent to one of the YAC telomeres. Expression of the YAC-based NGF reporter gene and a plasmid-based NGF reporter gene were compared with the regulation of endogenous mouse NGF protein in mouse L929 fibroblasts. In contrast to the plasmid-based reporter gene, expression and regulation of the YAC-based reporter gene was independent of the site of integration of the transgene. Basic fibroblast growth factor and okadaic acid stimulated expression of the YAC transgene, whereas transforming growth factor-beta and dexamethasone inhibited it. Although cyclic AMP strongly stimulated production of the endogenous mouse NGF, no effect was seen on the human NGF reporter genes. Downregulation of the secretion of endogenous mouse NGF already occurred at an EC50 of 1-2 nM dexamethasone, but downregulation of the expression of NGF reporter genes occurred only at EC50 of 10 nM. This higher concentration was also required for upregulation of luciferase genes driven by the dexamethasone-inducible promoter of the mouse mammary tumor virus in L929 fibroblasts.

Schwann cells genetically modified to secrete human BDNF promote enhanced axonal regrowth across transected adult rat spinal cord

The infusion of BDNF and NT-3 into Schwann cell (SC) grafts promotes regeneration of brainstem neurones into the grafts placed in adult rat spinal cord transected at T8 (Xu et al., 1995b). Here, we compared normal SCs with SCs genetically modified to secrete human BDNF, grafted as trails 5 mm long in the cord distal to a transection site and also deposited in the transection site, for their ability to stimulate supraspinal axonal regeneration beyond the injury. SCs were infected with the replication-deficient retroviral vector pL(hBDNF)RNL encoding the human preproBDNF cDNA. The amounts of BDNF secreted (as detected by ELISA) were 23 and 5 ng/24 h per 106 cells for infected and normal SCs, respectively. Biological activity of the secreted BDNF was confirmed by retinal ganglion cell bioassay. The adult rat spinal cord was transected at T8. The use of Hoechst prelabelled SCs demonstrated that trails were maintained for a month. In controls, no SCs were grafted. One month after grafting, axons were present in SC trails. More 5-HT-positive and some DbetaH-positive fibres were observed in the infected vs. normal SC trails. When Fast Blue was injected 5 mm below the transection site (at the end of the trail), as many as 135 retrogradely labelled neurones could be found in the brainstem, mostly in the reticular and raphe nuclei (normal SCs, up to 22, mostly in vestibular nuclei). Numerous neurones were labelled in the ventral hypothalamus (normal SCs, 0). Also, following Fast Blue injection, a mean of 138 labelled cells was present in dorsal root ganglia (normal SCs, 46) and spinal cord (39 vs. 32) rostral to the transection. No labelled spinal neurones rostral to the transection were seen when SCs were not transplanted. Thus, the transplantation of SCs secreting increased amounts of BDNF improved the regenerative response across a transection site in the thoracic cord. Moreover, the enhanced regeneration observed with infected SCs may be specific as the largest response was from neurones known to express trkB.

Immunological aspects of kaolin-induced hydrocephalus

Adult female Sprague Dawley rats were administrated 0.1 ml Kaolin (250 mg/ml) into cisterna magna. One, 4 and 8 weeks later, brains were analyzed using antibodies against MHC class I (OX18), MHC class II (OX6), CD4 (OX38), CD8 (OX8), OX42, ED1, NF, GFAP, AChE and TH. Remarkably high numbers of T lymphocytes, and OX42- and ED1-positive macrophages were found aggregated in subarachnoid spaces, and in the third and fourth ventricles. Marked aggregations of ED1-positive reactive microglial cells were also found in paraventricular structures, medial septum, retrosplenic cortex and commissural structures. However, no such cells were found in hippocampus. ED1-positive areas were also positive for round cells with a rim of MHC I fluorescent cytoplasm as well as for OX42-positive cells and MHC II positive microglial cells. At week 1, in ventro-frontal areas of cortex, CD8-positive cells and MHC I positive astroglial fibers were detected. At week 1, MHC I positive ramified microglial cells were also recognized in almost the entire brain. These positive cells gradually decreased with time and finally remained rounded with a rim of fluorescent cytoplasm. In addition, ED1 positive partly ramified microglial cells could be recognized in corpus callosum, probably representing cells in transition between ramified and reactive microglia. CD8+ cells entered ventral brain structures, and were found in the horizontal diagonal band at week 4, and had disappeared at week 8. Finally in cortex, ED1 positive microglial cells could be identified only in the retrosplenic cortex, and there were also "dark shrunken neurons" in light microscopic stainings. However, there was only a moderate GFAP positive gliosis. In conclusion, kaolin-induced hydrocephalus leads to immune reactions in several defined areas such as cholinergic systems, corpus callosum, circumventricular organs, pontine cerebellar peduncles and the vestibular nucleus.

The use of nonneuronal cells for gene delivery

The implantation of genetically engineered nonneuronal cells can provide an effective method for achieving localized delivery of discrete molecules to the CNS or for providing substrates for regrowth of neural structures. Most primary nonneuronal cells have the advantage of being easily obtainable from the prospective host for ex vivo retrovirus-mediated genetic manipulation (most will be mitotic in culture) and reimplantation as an autologous graft (circumventing the problem of immune rejection). As primary cells, they are unlikely to be tumorigenic. The most vexing problem for such systems remains the apparent loss of transgene expression from viral promoters after prolonged periods of engraftment. Much effort is currently being directed at optimizing sustained transgene expression by varying the promoters, by varying the cell types to be engineered, or by regulating expression by enhancing promoter function or substrate availability. While nonneuronal cells are excellent vehicles for achieving passive delivery of substances to the CNS, they lack the ability to incorporate into the host cytoarchitecture in a functional manner (e.g., make synaptic contacts). For this reason, not only may certain essential circuits not be re-formed, but the regulated release of certain substances through feedback loops may be missing. While apparently unimportant for some substances (e.g., ACh), for others (e.g., NGF), their unregulated, inappropriate, excessive, or ectopic release may actually be inimical to the host. Furthermore, the loss of foreign gene expression (the bane of gene therapy) may leave engineered nonneural cells incapacitated, whereas donor tissue originating from brain may intrinsically produce various CNS factors allowing correction to proceed despite inactivation of the introduced gene. In fact, CNS-derived tissue may provide as-yet-unrecognized endogenous neuralspecific substances which are equally as beneficial to the host as the gene in question. Thus, future developments in gene delivery to the brain for some conditions may emphasize using neurons or neural progenitors for ex vivo genetic manipulation (Fisher, 1997) and refining techniques for the direct injection of therapeutic genes into neurons in vivo (see Snyder and Fisher, 1996). For a wide variety of conditions, however, using nonneuronal cellular vehicles or even nonbiologic synthetic vehicles may be efficient, effective, and safe strategies for the passive delivery of therapeutic molecules to discrete regions of the CNS. In fact, this approach may come closer than any other to immediate human applications.

Gene transfer and delivery in central nervous system disease

Gene transfer offers the potential to explore basic physiological processes and to intervene in human disease. The central nervous system (CNS) presents a fertile field in which to develop novel therapeutic modalities to treat intractable and pervasive malignant tumors and neurodegenerative disease. The extension of gene therapy to the CNS, however, faces the delivery obstacles of a target population that is postmitotic and isolated behind a blood-brain barrier (BBB). Approaches to this problem have included grafting of genetically modified cells to deliver novel proteins or introducing genes by viral or synthetic vectors geared toward the CNS cell population. Direct inoculation and bulk flow, as well as osmotic and pharmacological disruption, have been used to circumvent the BBB's exclusionary role. Once the gene is delivered, myriad strategies have been used to affect a therapeutic result. Genes activating prodrugs are the most common antitumor approach. Other approaches focus on activating immune responses, targeting angiogenesis, and influencing apoptosis and tumor suppression. At this time, therapy directed at neurodegenerative diseases has centered on ex vivo gene therapy for supply of trophic factors to promote neuronal survival, axonal outgrowth, and target tissue function. Despite early promise, gene therapy for CNS disorders will require advancements in methods for delivery and long-term expression before becoming feasible for human disease.

Evidence that perihypoglossal neurons involved in vestibular-auditory and gaze control functions respond to nerve growth factor

Nerve growth factor (NGF), which has long been considered to be a trophic factor for peripheral sensory and sympathetic neurons, has been found recently to influence cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain and neostriatum. In the present study, we provide evidence that brainstem neurons in the perihypoglossal area that relay information from the inner ear and vestibular apparatus to the cerebellum and tectum are responsive to NGF. These neurons, which are located in the nucleus prepositus hypoglossi (NPH), spinal vestibular nucleus, cochlear complex, and gigantocellular and paragigantocellular nuclei of the reticular formation, express functional receptors for NGF and up-regulate the expression of trkA receptors after injection of NGF into targets. In addition, the developmental up-regulation of NGF in the cerebellum coincides with the differentiation of the perihypoglossal nuclei. These results suggest that neurons representing the principal brain relays for auditory and vestibular pathways and perihypoglossal neurons involved in gaze coordination are a novel group of central neurons (besides cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain and neostriatum) that respond to NGF.

Long-term transgene expression in fetal rat suprachiasmatic nucleus neurografts following ex vivo adenoviral vector-mediated gene transfer

Ex vivo gene transfer to fetal suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)-containing solid piece neurografts was explored using a first-generation prototype adenoviral vector containing the reporter gene LacZ (Ad-LacZ). Transgene expression was examined at different intervals following grafting in the IIIrd ventricle of rat brain and was compared to that of explant cultures. Large numbers of beta-galactosidase-positive cells were observed 8 days postgrafting. The number of stained cells had decreased considerably at 21 days but transduced cells were still present at 70 days. In vitro culturing of infected SCN tissue revealed high expression up to 21 days, indicating that the in vivo and in vitro fates of Ad-LacZ-infected cells were different. The main reason for this difference appeared to be cell loss by necrosis in the initial phase after transplantation, a phenomenon not related to the infection with Ad-LacZ since it similarly occurred in control grafts. In vivo inflammatory responses, observed after immunostaining for macrophages and T-lymphocytes, were also comparable in control and Ad-LacZ-treated transplants, except that cytotoxic T-cells were observed in the Ad-LacZ-treated transplants and not in controls. The recruitment of these cells was, however, minor and primarily observed at 8 days postgrafting, indicating that a major immunological rejection of the transduced graft did not occur. In both control and Ad-LacZ-infected transplants similar survival and intraimplant neuritic growth of SCN cells were visible. Ex vivo gene transfer of solid piece fetal SCN grafts with adenoviral vectors therefore appeared to be a nontoxic long-term gene-introducing procedure. This would in principle enable the local production of neurotrophic factors within the transplant and has the potential to improve functional SCN neurografting.

Human fetal astrocytes as an ex vivo gene therapy vehicle for delivering biologically active nerve growth factor

The therapeutic use of neurotrophic factors for neurodegenerative diseases is promising, however, optimal methods for continuous delivery of these substances to the human central nervous system (CNS) remains problematic. One approach would be to graft genetically engineered human cells that continuously secrete high levels of a biologically produced and processed neurotrophic factor. This ex vivo gene therapy approach has worked well in animal models of neurodegenerative diseases using a variety of nonneuronal cell types to deliver the transgene. In our studies, we have been investigating the potential of astrocytes, a cell type normally present in the CNS, as a vehicle for ex vivo gene therapy. Here, we demonstrate that astrocytes in the human fetal cortex can be isolated and efficiently infected with an amphotropic retrovirus harboring mouse beta-nerve growth factor (NGF). These transduced astrocytes express high levels of NGF mRNA and secrete bioactive NGF protein as demonstrated by stimulation of neurite outgrowth from adrenal chromaffin cells. NGF ELISA showed that these astrocytes secrete NGF protein at a rate of 41 ng/day per 10(5) cells after 2 weeks in vitro, whereas NGF is undetectable in medium conditioned by normal astrocytes. These data suggest that human fetal astrocytes can be used for delivering biologically produced neurotrophic factors to the human CNS.

Treatment strategies for neurodegenerative diseases based on trophic factors and cell transplantation techniques

Treatment strategies based on transfer of genes, molecules, or cells to the central nervous system are summarized. When neurons are already degenerated, functional compensation can be effected by grafts of syngeneic or allogenic tissue to the target area. This technique is undergoing clinical trials in Parkinson's disease. Before degeneration has occurred, it may be possible to rescue "stressed" neurons, and stimulate terminal outgrowth using treatment with neurotrophic factors. Such approaches, with an emphasis on the NGF family of neurotrophins and their receptors, are reviewed. Finally, new molecular biology techniques may permit the transfer of genes directly into non-dividing cells of the central nervous system. These three approaches may have a more general applicability, and become important not only in neurodegenerative diseases, but also in other afflictions of the nervous system such as ischemia, stroke and injury.

Chronic infusion of nerve growth factor into rat striatum increases cholinergic markers and inhibits striatal neuronal discharge rate

New strategies have recently been developed where infusion of neurotrophic factors into the brain can rescue different populations of neurons. Infusion of nerve growth factor (NGF) has been used in combination with transplants of chromaffin tissue to the striatum in the rat model of Parkinson's disease as well as to patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease. In this study we have evaluated the distribution of recombinant human NGF (rhNGF) in different brain areas and evaluated morphological and electrophysiological effects after continuous infusion for 2 weeks of rhNGF (500 micrograms/ml) into the striatum of normal rats. One week after termination of rhNGF infusion, NGF levels in the infused striata were 10-fold increased while in contralateral striata normal levels were found. Extracellular recordings from striatal neurons revealed a significantly decreased spontaneous firing rate (0.76 +/- 0.07 Hz) in rats infused with rhNGF compared to vehicle-infused control animals (1.36 +/- 0.16 Hz). Local application of rhNGF during recordings showed no direct inhibitory effect of NGF on neuronal discharge rate. Immunohistochemistry, using antibodies against acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), revealed a 38.7 +/- 7.0% increase in optical density of AChE immunoreactivity close to the NGF source and an increase in GFAP-positive profiles that was restricted close to the implanted dialysis fibre. In situ hybridization showed an increase in mRNAs for choline acetyltransferase, trkA, p75 and muscarinic m2 receptor in the large neurons of rhNGF-infused striatum. Messenger RNAs for m1 and m4 receptors in striatal neurons were not changed. Thus, chronic infusion of rhNGF into the striatum caused a cholinergic hyperinnervation and reduced spontaneous activity of striatal neurons.

Applications of gene therapy to the CNS

Gene therapy is a new method with potential for treating a broad range of acquired and inherited neurologic diseases, where the causative gene defect or deletion has been identified. In addition to gene replacement the application of gene products that reduce cellular dysfunction or death represent new therapeutic options. Gene transfer techniques to express novel proteins using different viral vectors in vitro and in vivo, as well as animal models and human trials will be reviewed in this article. We will focus on a new lentiviral vector as a recent gene transfer method and degenerative disorders of the CNS, and their related model systems.

Atrophy of cholinergic basal forebrain neurons following excitotoxic cortical lesions is reversed by intravenous administration of an NGF conjugate

Nerve growth factor (NGF) has been shown to sustain the viability and modulate the function of cholinergic basal forebrain neurons. However, under normal circumstances, NGF does not cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) following systemic administration making this neurotrophin unavailable to NGF-responsive neurons within the central nervous system (CNS). Recently, a non-invasive method for delivering NGF to the brain was established in which NGF was conjugated to an antibody directed against the transferrin receptor (OX-26) [15, 16]. This conjugation facilitates the transfer of NGF from the systemic circulation to the CNS via the transferrin transport system. In the present study, we tested whether intravenous administration of an OX-26-NGF conjugate could reverse the atrophy of cholinergic basal forebrain neurons following removal of the target sites. Lesions of the left cerebral cortex were created by epidural application of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA). Seventy-five days later, cholinergic nucleus basalis neurons were atrophic ipsilateral to the lesion relative to the contralateral side in control rats receiving intravenous injections of vehicle or a non-conjugated mixture of OX-26 and NGF. In contrast, intravenous injections of the OX-26-NGF conjugate restored the size of nucleus basalis perikarya to within normal limits relative to the unlesioned contralateral side. Immunohistochemical studies using rat serum albumen antisera indicated that the BBB was closed at the time of treatment indicating that this trophic effect did not result from NGF crossing through a compromised BBB at the site of the lesion. These data demonstrate that systemic administration of a neurotrophic factor-antibody conjugate, intended to circumvent the BBB, can provide trophic influences to degenerating cholinergic basal forebrain neurons. These data support the emerging concept that the conjugate method can facilitate the transfer of impermeable therapeutic compounds across the BBB.

Effects of intraventricular transplantation of NGF-secreting cells on cholinergic basal forebrain neurons after partial immunolesion

The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of nerve growth factor on brain cholinergic function after a partial immunolesion to the rat cholinergic basal forebrain neurons (CBFNs) by 192 IgG-saporin. Two weeks after intraventricular injections of 1.3 micrograms of 192 IgG-saporin, about 50% of CBFNs were lost which was associated with 40-60% reductions of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and high-affinity choline uptake (HACU) activities throughout the basal forebrain cholinergic system. Two groups of lesioned animals received intraventricular transplantations of mouse 3T3 fibroblasts retrovirally transfected with either the rat NGF gene (3T3NGF+) or the retrovirus alone (3T3NGF-) and were sacrificed eight weeks later. In vivo production of NGF by 3T3NGF+ cells was confirmed by NGF immunohistochemistry on the grafts and NGF immunoassay on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples. Both ChAT and HACU activities returned to normal control levels in the basal forebrain and cortex after 3T3NGF+ transplants, whereas no recovery was observed in 3T3NGF- transplanted animals. There was a 25% increase in the size of remaining CBFNs and an increased staining intensity for NGF immunoreactivity in these cells after NGF treatments. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) histochemistry revealed that the optical density of AChE-positive fibers in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus were reduced by about 60% in immunolesioned rats which were completely restored by 3T3NGF+ grafts. In addition, decreases in growth-associated protein (GAP)-43 immunoreactivity after immunolesion and increases in synaptophysin immunoreactivity after 3T3NGF+ grafts were observed in the hippocampus. Our results further confirm the notion that transfected NGF-secreting cells are useful in long-term in vivo NGF treatment and NGF can upregulate CBFN function. They also highly suggest that NGF induces terminal sprouting from remaining CBFNs.

Long-term functional recovery from age-induced spatial memory impairments by nerve growth factor gene transfer to the rat basal forebrain

Nerve growth factor (NGF) stimulates functional recovery from cognitive impairments associated with aging, either when administered as a purified protein or by means of gene transfer to the basal forebrain. Because gene transfer procedures need to be tested in long-term experimental paradigms to assess their in vivo efficiency, we have used ex vivo experimental gene therapy to provide local delivery of NGF to the aged rat brain over a period of 2.5 months by transplanting immortalized central nervous system-derived neural stem cells genetically engineered to secrete NGF. By grafting them at two independent locations in the basal forebrain, medial septum and nucleus basalis magnocellularis, we show that functional recovery as assessed in the Morris water maze can be achieved by neurotrophic stimulation of any of these cholinergic cell groups. Moreover, the cholinergic neurons in the grafted regions showed a hypertrophic response resulting in a reversal of the age-associated atrophy seen in the learning-impaired aged control rats. Long-term expression of the transgene lead to an increased NGF tissue content (as determined by NGF-ELISA) in the transplanted regions up to at least 10 weeks after grafting. We conclude that the gene transfer procedure used here is efficient to provide the brain with a long-lasting local supply of exogenous NGF, induces long-term functional recovery of cognitive functions, and that independent trophic stimulation of the medial septum or nucleus basalis magnocellularis has similar consequences at the behavioral level.

Expression of tyrosine hydroxylase in an immortalized human fetal astrocyte cell line; in vitro characterization and engraftment into the rodent striatum

The use of primary human fetal tissue in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, while promising, faces several difficult technical and ethical issues. An alternative approach that would obviate these problems would be to use immortalized cell lines of human fetal central nervous system origin. An immortalized human fetal astrocyte cell line (SVG) has been established (45) and herein we describe the in vitro and in vivo characteristics of this cell line which suggest that it may be a useful vehicle for neural transplantation. The SVG cell line is vimentin, GFAP, Thy 1.1 and MHC class I positive, and negative for neurofilament and neuron specific enolase, consistent with its glial origin. To determine whether the cell line could be used as a drug delivery system, a cDNA expression vector for tyrosine hydroxylase was constructed (phTH/Neo) and stably expressed in the SVG cells for over 18 months as demonstrated by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting of the stable transfectants. HPLC analysis of the supernatant from these cells, termed SVG-TH, consistently found 4-6 pmol/ml/min of l-dopa produced with the addition of BH4 to the media. Furthermore, in cocultivation experiments with hNT neurons, PC-12 cells and primary rat fetal mesencephalic tissue, both the SVG and SVG-TH cells demonstrated neurotrophic potential, suggesting that they constituitively express factors with neuroregenerative potential. To determine the viability of these cells in vivo, SVG-TH cells were grafted into the striatum of Sprague-Dawley rats and followed over time. A panel of antibodies was used to unequivocally differentiate the engrafted cells from the host parenchyma, including antibodies to: SV40 large T antigen (expressed in the SVG-TH cells), human and rat MHC class 1, vimentin, GFAP, and tyrosine hydroxylase. While the graft was easily identified with the first week, over the course of a four week period of time the engrafted cells decreased in number. Concomittantly, rat CD4 and CD8 expression in the vicinity of the graft increased, consistent with xenograft rejection. When the SVG-TH cells were grafted to the lesioned striatum of a 6-hydroxydopamine lesioned rats, rotational behavior of the rat decreased as much as 80% initially, then slowly returned to baseline over the next four weeks, parallelling graft rejection. Thus, the SVG-TH cells can induce a functional recovery in an animal model of Parkinson's disease, however as a xenograft, the SVG cells are recognized by the immune system.

Expression of Tyrosine Hydroxylase in an Immortalized Human Fetal Astrocyte Cell Line; in Vitro Characterization and Engraftment into the Rodent Striatum

The use of primary human fetal tissue in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, while promising, faces several difficult technical and ethical issues. An alternative approach that would obviate these problems would be to use immortalized cell lines of human fetal central nervous system origin. An immortalized human fetal astrocyte cell line (SVG) has been established (45) and herein we describe the in vitro and in vivo characteristics of this cell line which suggest that it may be a useful vehicle for neural transplantation. The SVG cell line is vimentin, GFAP, Thy 1.1 and MHC class I positive, and negative for neurofilament and neuron specific enolase, consistent with its glial origin. To determine whether the cell line could be used as a drug delivery system, a cDNA expression vector for tyrosine hydroxylase was constructed (phTH/Neo) and stably expressed in the SVG cells for over 18 months as demonstrated by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting of the stable transfectants. HPLC analysis of the supernatant from these cells, termed SVG-TH, consistently found 4-6 pmol/ml/min of 1-dopa produced with the addition of BH4to the media. Furthermore, in cocultivation experiments with hNT neurons, PC-12 cells and primary rat fetal mesencephalic tissue, both the SVG and SVG-TH cells demonstrated neurotrophic potential, suggesting that they constituitively express factors with neuroregenerative potential. To determine the viability of these cells in vivo, SVG-TH cells were grafted into the striatum of Sprague-Dawley rats and followed over time. A panel of antibodies was used to unequivocally differentiate the engrafted cells from the host parenchyma, including antibodies to: SV40 large T antigen (expressed in the SVG-TH cells), human and rat MHC class 1, vimentin, GFAP, and tyrosine hydroxylase. While the graft was easily identified with the first week, over the course of a four week period of time the engrafted cells decreased in number. Concomittantly, rat CD4 and CD8 expression in the vicinity of the graft increased, consistent with xenograft rejection. When the SVG-TH cells were grafted to the lesioned striatum of a 6-hydroxydopamine lesioned rats, rotational behavior of the rat decreased as much as 80% initially, then slowly returned to baseline over the next four weeks, parallelling graft rejection. Thus, the SVG-TH cells can induce a functional recovery in an animal model of Parkinson's disease, however as a xenograft, the SVG cells are recognized by the immune system.

Effects of intraventricular encapsulated hNGF-secreting fibroblasts in aged rats

Exogenous NGF administered into the central nervous system (CNS) has been reported to improve cognitive function in aged rats. However, concerns have been expressed about the risks involved with supplying NGF to the CNS. In this study, baby hamster kidney cells (BHK) genetically modified to secrete human NGF (hNGF) were encapsulated in semipermeable membranes and implanted intraventricularly. ChAT/LNGFR-positive basal forebrain neurons were shown to atrophy and degenerate with age, especially in cognitively impaired rats. The encapsulated BHK-NGF cells produced less than 10% of doses previously reported to be effective, but this was sufficient to increase the size of ChAT/LNGFR-positive basal forebrain neurons in the aged and learning-impaired rats to the size of the neurons in young healthy rats. The hNGF from these encapsulated cells also improved performance in a repeated-acquisition version of the Morris water maze spatial learning task in learning-impaired 20.6- and 26.7-mo-old rats. Furthermore, there was no evidence that these doses of hNGF impaired Morris water maze performance in the youngest 3.3-5.4 mo rats, and analyses of mortality rates, body weights, somatosensory thresholds, potential hyperalgesia, and activity levels, suggested that these levels of exogenous hNGF are not toxic or harmful to aged rats. These results suggest that CNS-implanted semipermeable membranes, containing genetically modified xenogeneic cells continuously producing these levels of hNGF, attenuate age-related cognitive deficits in nonimmunosuppressed aged rats, and that both the surgical implantation procedure and long-term exposure to low doses of hNGF appear safe in aged rats.

Ciliary neurotrophic factor promotes the terminal differentiation of v-myc immortalized sympathoadrenal progenitor cells in vivo

Survival and differentiation of a sympathoadrenal progenitor cell line (termed MAH), transduced with a v-myc oncogene, was studied subsequent to transplantation in the peripheral and central nervous system of adult rats. In the brain, MAH cell survival depended on the secretion of ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) by co-grafts of genetically modified glioma cells. No trophic factor supplement was required for development of the MAH cells in the peripheral nerve environment. Transplanted progenitor cells withdrew from the cell cycle within 48 h and differentiated into a prominent population of large sympathetic-like neurons. The neurons expressed the alpha subunit of the CNTF receptor and appropriate spatial distributions of cytoskeletal proteins and catecholamine related enzymes. The results identify a role for CNTF in the development of the sympathoadrenal cell lineage and support the concept of immortalized progenitor cells as alternatives to primary cells for cell replacement strategies in the nervous system.