Neuroprotection in Transient Focal Brain Ischemia After Delayed Intravenous Administration of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Conjugated to a Blood-Brain Barrier Drug Targeting System

Abstract

Background and Purpose —Neuroprotection with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) requires direct injection into the brain owing to poor transport of the neurotrophin through the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in vivo. The present studies investigate whether BDNF alone or conjugated to a BBB drug targeting system is neuroprotective in focal, reversible brain ischemia after delayed intravenous administration at 60 or 120 minutes after middle cerebral arterial occlusion. Methods —BDNF was conjugated to the OX26 murine monoclonal antibody to the rat transferrin receptor, which undergoes transport into brain from blood via the BBB transferrin receptor transcytosis system. After a 1-hour occlusion of the middle cerebral artery in nitrous oxide– ventilated animals with normal blood sugar, the brain was reperfused, and either BDNF or the BDNF/OX26 conjugate was administered as a single intravenous injection at a dose of 50 μg per rat. Results —After the intravenous administration of unconjugated BDNF, there was no neuroprotection on the basis of analysis of brain at either 24 hours or 7 days after a 1-hour middle cerebral arterial occlusion. In contrast, there was a 68% and 70% reduction in cortical stroke volume at 24 hours and 7 days, respectively, after intravenous administration of 50 μg per rat of the BDNF conjugate ( P <0.01). No effects on subcortical stroke volume were observed. Conclusions —These studies demonstrate marked neuroprotection in focal, transient brain ischemia with a single, delayed intravenous injection of BDNF if the neurotrophin is conjugated to a BBB drug targeting system. The neuroprotection is long lasting and persists for at least 7 days after a 1-hour middle cerebral artery occlusion.