Texas researcher receives U.S. patent for new class of compounds that protect against TBI

A researcher in the School of Medicine at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio received a U.S. patent  Dec. 31 for his discovery that a class of compounds is protective against traumatic brain injury (TBI). The patent, No. 8,618,074, covers novel methods of preventing or treating neuronal damage, and work is continuing on development of potential therapies for TBI based on this invention.

Cell, animal and human studies

James D. Lechleiter, Ph.D., professor of cellular and structural biology at the Health Science Center, reported the findings in cell and animal models in peer-reviewed journals. Studies yet to be published extend the results to human brain tissue obtained from patients who underwent temporal lobectomies to curb treatment-resistant epilepsy. Dr. Lechleiter filed the patent application in 2007 and worked closely with the Health Science Center's Office of Technology Transfer and Commercialization (OTTC). "OTTC was invaluable in shepherding my application through the patenting process," Dr. Lechleiter said. "They really championed the patent at critical junctures."

Brain caretaker cells stimulated

He found that two compounds stimulate the ability of the brain's caretaker cells (called astrocytes) to do their job. The compounds, called 2-methylthio-ADP and MRS2365, are among a class of compounds called purinergic receptor ligands. "Normally people want to block things to stop injury," Dr. Lechleiter said. "We're saying let's stimulate the natural caretakers of the brain, part of whose job is to help control edema." Edema is swelling that compresses brain tissue and neurons while increasing pressure inside the skull.

Hope for new class of safe, effective drugs

Dr. Lechleiter and Murat Digicaylioglu, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of neurosurgery in the School of Medicine, published a study showing that, after an injury to the mouse brain, treatment of the astrocyte cells with 2-methylthio-ADP and MRS2365 significantly reduced the edema. "With this treatment, astrocytes themselves, as well as neurons, live longer," Dr. Lechleiter said. "It is hoped these preliminary studies will soon lead to a new class of safe and effective drugs that can be administered if a traumatic brain injury, even a mild one, is suspected to have occurred."

An often-unrecognized wound

External signs and symptoms of TBI are not always present or can go unnoticed in stressful situations such as war, car accidents or many sport-related injuries. Because the skull is a defined space, there is no place to expand. Edema pushes the brain aside, placing pressure on the neurons and tissues.

Injury that lingers

"Undiagnosed traumatic brain injuries are time bombs," Dr. Lechleiter said. "This injury continues in the brain. Sometimes, people do not recognize or admit that they are having problems. Others may not understand why they are having problems and what their problems are, which can make them nervous and upset. In the case of soldiers wounded in war, the trauma happens in Afghanistan, but you carry it home."

Drug development

Support for this research program is from the National Institute on Aging. Dr. Lechleiter is now working with the Center for Innovation in Drug Discovery, a joint center of the Health Science Center and The University of Texas at San Antonio, to refine and further develop robust purinergic receptor-based medications for people with TBI.

Next steps

Once the significant pre-clinical studies that need to be done are completed, promising drugs that stimulate this caretaker pathway will then be entered into Phase I clinical trials to begin the process of evaluating their therapeutic potential and safety in people. Most often, this phase of development is done in partnership with the pharmaceutical industry or is spun out into a start-up company, and OTTC is working with Dr. Lechleiter to identify the best next step.

Excitement about clinical impact

"This invention is part of our ongoing basic and translational research," Dr. Lechleiter said. "Our most recent results indicate that purinergic ligand treatment of TBI also eliminates the long-term neurological deficits typically associated with repetitive head injuries. We're very excited about the clinical impact of these findings and hope this success leads to new drug therapies for people with multiple brain injuries."