PATHOPHYSIOLOGY AND NOVEL THERAPIES FOR BATTEN'S DISEASE

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DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Batten disease represents a group of inherited neurodegenerative diseases also referred to as the Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses (NCLs). There are at least 9 genetically distinct forms of NCL and collectively, they are the most common pediatric neurodegenerative disease. The defining characteristic of the NCLs is the progressive accumulation of autofluorescent material in cells of the CNS and other tissues. Clinically, this group of pediatric neurodegenerative diseases typically present first with visual deficits followed by cognitive decline, intractable seizures, and premature death. Infantile Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (INCL, Infantile Batten disease) is the most rapidly progressing form of NCL and is caused by the deficiency of the soluble lysosomal enzyme palmitoyl protein thioesterase-1 (PPT1). There is currently no effective therapy for INCL. In fact, pre-clinical experiments in the murine model of INCL using a variety of approaches such as gene therapy, small molecule drugs, and neuronal stem cells have resulted in minor biochemical and histological improvements with little or no increase in life span. However, we recently showed that CNS-directed gene therapy using an AAV2/5 vector resulted in a 50% increase in life span (INCL ~8mo, AAV2/5-INCL ~12mo). Interestingly, when bone marrow transplantation (BMT) was combined with AAV2/5 the median life span increased to ~18.5mo with a sustained improvement in motor function. These results are truly striking in light of the fact that BMT alone resulted in no detectable PPT1 activity in the brain and provided no biochemical, histological, or clinical improvements. It is becoming clear that a combination approach targeting different aspects of disease can dramatically improve the clinical outcomes of INCL. We have identified several disease characteristics of INCL that can be targeted simultaneously. This combination approach could represent the foundation of therapies that will provide meaningful clinical benefit for affected children. The goals of this proposal are to: 1) better understand the interaction of BMT and CNS-directed gene therapy in the treatment of INCL and, 2) determine the efficacy of combining disparate therapeutic approaches that target different aspects of INCL. We will accomplish these goals with the following Specific Aims: 1) We will more completely characterize the response of INCL mice to AAV2/5 and BMT and determine the mechanism of synergy between these disparate approaches. 2) We will determine the efficacy of therapeutic combinations that target different aspects of INCL.