Development of a novel therapeutic approach for ALS using anti-TNF antibody

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Mouse anti-TNF alpha antibody was intraperitoneally administered to SOD1 mice, which are widely used for animal model for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. We physiologically and pathologically evaluated the efficacy of the therapy or suppression of disease progression. No significant result was obtained in physiological evaluations, including life span, body weight and motor functions. However, pathological examination revealed partial ameliorative response, including the numbers of survival motor neurons and the reactive gliosis. These results further supported involvement of neuroinflammation in motor neuron death by mutant SOD1 probably at the end stage. Evaluation of the downstream cascades, such as NF kappa, JNK-AP-1 and caspase 3, is necessary to optimize the therapy using the anti-TNF alpha antibody.