Delayed treatment with monoclonal antibody IN-1 1 week after stroke results in recovery of function and corticorubral plasticity in adult rats

J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 2005 Oct;25(10):1366-75. doi: 10.1038/sj.jcbfm.9600134.

Abstract

Neuronal death due to ischemic stroke results in permanent deficits in sensory, language, and motor functions. The growth-restrictive environment of the adult central nervous system (CNS) is an obstacle to functional recovery after stroke and other CNS injuries. In this regard, Nogo-A is a potent neurite growth-inhibitory protein known to restrict neuronal plasticity in adults. Previously, we have found that treatment with monoclonal antibody (mAb) IN-1 to neutralize Nogo-A immediately after stroke enhanced motor cortico-efferent plasticity and recovery of skilled forelimb function in rats. However, immediate treatment for stroke is often not clinically feasible. Thus, the present study was undertaken to determine whether cortico-efferent plasticity and functional recovery would occur if treatment with mAb IN-1 was delayed 1 week after stroke. Adult rats were trained on a forelimb-reaching task, and the middle cerebral artery was occluded to induce focal cerebral ischemia to the forelimb sensorimotor cortex. After 1 week, animals received mAb IN-1 treatment, control antibody, or no treatment, and were tested for 9 more weeks. To assess cortico-efferent plasticity, the sensorimotor cortex opposite the stroke lesion was injected with an anterograde neuroanatomical tracer. Behavioral analysis demonstrated a recovery of skilled forelimb function, and anatomical studies revealed neuroplasticity at the level of the red nucleus in animals treated with mAb IN-1, thus demonstrating the efficacy of this treatment even if administered 1 week after stroke.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Brain Ischemia / physiopathology
  • Efferent Pathways / physiology
  • Forelimb / physiology
  • Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Motor Cortex / physiology*
  • Myelin Proteins / immunology*
  • Neuronal Plasticity / drug effects*
  • Nogo Proteins
  • Rats
  • Rats, Long-Evans
  • Stroke / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Myelin Proteins
  • Nogo Proteins
  • Rtn4 protein, rat