Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive disorder that leads to degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons, muscle atrophy, and ultimately death. The onset of disease is usually between 40 and 60 years of age. In 5% of cases, ALS is caused by a point mutation in the super oxide dismutase 1 gene (SOD1) and is referred to as familial ALS. Motor neuron cell death and paralysis result when this mutation is over expressed in mice and rats (SOD1G93A mutants). This translational research proposal will investigate the efficacy of ex vivo cell therapy targeting skeletal muscles to ameliorate motor neuron death in a rat model of ALS. We will focus on human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) derived from bone marrow, which can be isolated from normal donors or patients with ALS, easily expanded to large numbers and modified ex vivo with transgenic genes using viral vectors. We propose to use the hMSC as """"""""Trojan horses"""""""" to deliver key trophic factors postulated to have a role in ALS pathogenesis: glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). We will also determine the potential benefits of this hMSC based approach compared to a viral vector based approach. Furthermore, we will determine if combined delivery of these growth factors using hMSC has any synergistic effects on motor neuron loss in the SOD1G93A rats.
These aims will provide highly novel insights into effective approaches using cell and growth factor-based treatments for ALS, and may provide the rationale for novel therapeutic strategies for a neurodegenerative disease with no known cure. Our rationale for using human mesenchymal cells in this project is that they represent a safe viable source of cells that could potentially be used in multiple clinical trials. Thus, any results acquired from the use of these cells in animal models of disease will be directly translatable to pre-clinical studies in ALS. The relevance to the NIH mission of improving health becomes extremely high when using human cells. PROJECT NARRATIVE Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an incurable disease characterized by rapid loss of muscle control and eventual paralysis. The proposed research will contribute new novel information to effective therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, which is relevant to the NIH mission of improving public health.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
5R21NS061049-02
Application #
7624269
Study Section
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Initial Review Group (NSD)
Program Officer
Gubitz, Amelie
Project Start
2008-07-01
Project End
2011-06-30
Budget Start
2009-03-01
Budget End
2011-06-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$162,422
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Wisconsin Madison
Department
Pediatrics
Type
Other Domestic Higher Education
DUNS #
161202122
City
Madison
State
WI
Country
United States
Zip Code
53715
Van Dyke, Jonathan M; Smit-Oistad, Ivy M; Macrander, Corey et al. (2016) Macrophage-mediated inflammation and glial response in the skeletal muscle of a rat model of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Exp Neurol 277:275-282
Lewis, Christina M; Suzuki, Masatoshi (2014) Therapeutic applications of mesenchymal stem cells for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Stem Cell Res Ther 5:32
Krakora, Dan; Mulcrone, Patrick; Meyer, Michael et al. (2013) Synergistic effects of GDNF and VEGF on lifespan and disease progression in a familial ALS rat model. Mol Ther 21:1602-10
Hosoyama, Tohru; Meyer, Michael G; Krakora, Dan et al. (2013) Isolation and in vitro propagation of human skeletal muscle progenitor cells from fetal muscle. Cell Biol Int 37:191-6
Hayes-Punzo, Antonio; Mulcrone, Patrick; Meyer, Michael et al. (2012) Gonadectomy and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) do not modulate disease progression in the G93A mutant SOD1 rat model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Amyotroph Lateral Scler 13:311-4
Suzuki, Masatoshi; Klein, Sandra; Wetzel, Elizabeth A et al. (2010) Acute glial activation by stab injuries does not lead to overt damage or motor neuron degeneration in the G93A mutant SOD1 rat model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Exp Neurol 221:346-52
Riley, Jonathan; Federici, Thais; Park, John et al. (2009) Cervical spinal cord therapeutics delivery: preclinical safety validation of a stabilized microinjection platform. Neurosurgery 65:754-61; discussion 761-2
Suzuki, Masatoshi; Lee, Hwi-Cheul; Kayasuga, Yuko et al. (2009) Roles of progranulin in sexual differentiation of the developing brain and adult neurogenesis. J Reprod Dev 55:351-5
Suzuki, Masatoshi; McHugh, Jacalyn; Tork, Craig et al. (2008) Direct muscle delivery of GDNF with human mesenchymal stem cells improves motor neuron survival and function in a rat model of familial ALS. Mol Ther 16:2002-10