University of California

Max-planck-gesellschaft Zur F&#xf6;rderung Der Wissenschaften E. V.

Boehringer Mannheim Gmbh

Jurgen Unger

Ilse Bartke

Stephen L Hauser

Claude P Genain

Hans-Hinrich Althaus

This invention pertains to the discovery that nerve growth factor (NGF) is capable of preventing further demyelination of nervous tissue in pathologies characterized by the demyelination of nervous tissue (e.g. multiple sclerosis). In one embodiment, this invention provides a method for inhibiting demyelination in a subject having an inflammatory disease of a nervous tissue. The method involves administering an effective amount of NGF, an NGF analogue, or an active fragment of NGF where the effective amount is sufficient to downregulate the production of interferon &#x3bb; by T cells infiltrating the central nervous system and/or to upregulate IL-10 production by glial cells.

NGF for the prevention of demyelination in the nervous system

The invention concerns a process for improving the regeneration of oligodendrocytes, in particular of human oligodendrocytes, in which oligodendrocytes are treated in cell culture with nerve growth factor (NGF) or active fragments of NGF. Furthermore a composition is disclosed for treating diseases in which a demyelination of nerve fibres occurs which contains NGF or an active fragment thereof as the active substance, if desired, together with the usual pharmaceutical vehicles, auxiliary substances, fillers and diluents.

Regeneration of oligodendrocytes

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Landshut, Germany

Jurgen Unger