Complement inhibition for improved nerve regeneration

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods and medicaments used for treating conditions that require axonal regeneration, e.g. in mammals affected by injury or disease of the central or peripheral nervous system. The medicaments used in these methods facilitate axonal regeneration by inhibition of the complement system. Conditions requiring axonal regeneration that may be treated in accordance with the invention include physical injuries as well as neurodegenerative disorders of the peripheral or central nervous system.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A method of treating a subject having a condition requiring axonal regeneration comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an inhibitor of a mammalian complement system. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the condition requiring axonal regeneration is a physical injury of a peripheral nerve. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the condition requiring axonal regeneration is a neurodegenerative disorder of the peripheral or central nervous system. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the condition is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the condition is Hereditary Motor and Sensory Neuropathy (HMSN). 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the condition is Huntington's Disease (HD). 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the condition is injury of the CNS. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the condition is injury of the PNS. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the inhibitor inhibits formation of a membrane attack complex. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the inhibitor is an antibody that blocks one or more of C3 convertase, C5, C6, C7, C8, C9, or MAC assembly. 
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 24 , wherein the antibody is a human or humanized antibody. 
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of an antisense oligonucleotide, a complement regulator, a complement receptor, an antibody or antibody-fragment against a complement component, cobra venom factor, a poly-anionic inhibitor of complement, K-76COOH, rosmaric acid, nafamastat mesilate, C1s-INH-248, compstatin, PMX53, and PMX205. 
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the inhibitor inhibits C6. 
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the inhibitor is an antibody or an antisense oligonucleotide. 
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the inhibitor is administered at or near a site of injury. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the inhibitor is administered by infusion, bolus injection, or parenterally. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the inhibitor is administered by an intradermal, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, intravenous, or subcutaneous route.