Wayne State
University researchers have demonstrated that inhibition of pro-survival
kinase, AKT, using the transgene, Trb3, expressed in oligodendrocytes, leads to
less brain white matter than controls. Moreover, Trb3 introduction into an
animal model of the human disease, Pelizaeus Merzbacher disease (PMD) leads to
less myelin thickness and fewer disease symptoms than untreated animals. These
results suggest inhibiting AKT may ameliorate the symptoms of PDM and other
diseases with similar or analogous pathophysiology such as Alzheimer and
Parkinson’s disease to name a few.
Commercial
Applications
·
We are seeking
industrial partners to further develop this technology by characterizing
biologic or small molecule inhibitors of AKT.
·
Potential to develop
chemical or protein-based inhibitors or ATK to treat neurodegenerative diseases
such as; Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington disease; Charcot-Marie-Tooth
disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis and prion
diseases.
Patent
Status
Patent
pending
Tech
ID
08-899