Reference #: 1677
The University of South Carolina is offering licensing opportunities for Neural repair through inhibition of Reg3A signaling.
Background:
Human peripheral nerve regeneration is rarely successful when the nerve's axons must regrow more than 5-6 cm. By the time the regenerating axons in the nerve get past 5-6 cm, the environment no longer supports growth and target tissues are no longer receptive for reinnervation.
Invention Description:
This invention has identified a signaling pathway that slows regeneration through the promotion of mRNA degradation. Blocking this pathway speeds up regeneration and accelerates recovery after traumatic nerve injury. This brings a new strategy to target endogenous mechanisms that decrease successful regeneration.
Potential Applications:
There are pressing clinical needs to improve regeneration after nerve, spinal cord, and brain injuries. By inhibiting the identified pathway that activates in axons, it is possible to accelerate axon growth above the typical 1-2 mm/day. Consequently, axons can reach their targets before the environment loses growth support and target tissues lose receptiveness for reinnervation.
Advantages and Benefits:
Current approaches for peripheral nerve injuries revolve on surgical interventions to place conduits that support regeneration or exogenous electrical stimulation to improve axon growth. Our approach brings a clear competitive advantage in that it targets an intra-neuronal signaling pathway that is selectively increased during regeneration and slows axon growth rates. Out approach may also be complimentary or synergistic with current stem cell grafting methods.