title: PEGylation enhances the therapeutic potential for insulin-like growth factor I in central nervous system disorders.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Due to its potent neurotrophic activity, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) has been proposed many times for therapeutic application in disorders of the central nervous system (CNS). However, insufficient brain delivery to yield beneficial central without peripheral side effects have prevented clinical development in most instances.
  
  
  METHODS
  We recently reported the generation of a polyethylene-glycol modified IGF-I variant (PEG-IGF-I) with prolonged half-life and less acute side effects, but with fully maintained slow anabolic activity. Here we investigated if these beneficial properties result in improved brain availability of the drug, thereby reaching therapeutically relevant steady-state concentrations to elicit beneficial effects on neuronal function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After a single subcutaneous injection, PEG-IGF-I reached much higher steady-state levels in brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid compared with IGF-I. Two weeks treatment with PEG-IGF-I was sufficient to modulate brain plasticity processes, as judged by changes in synaptic proteins and related animal behavior. Furthermore, chronic treatment of a mouse model of brain amyloidosis with PEG-IGF-I reverted deficits in insulin/IGF-I signaling, synaptic proteins and cognitive performance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data generate the therapeutic potential for PEG-IGF-I to treat CNS disorders by systemic drug application, and in addition scientifically support its application in disorders of synaptic function and neuronal development.
authors.affiliation: F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., CNS Pharma Research & Early Development, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saenger
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Goeldner
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Frey
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ozmen
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ostrowitzki
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Spooren
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Ballard
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Prinssen
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Borroni
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Metzger
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000032:analysis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000494:pharmacology; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I