Effects of Varying Intranasal Treatment Regimens in ST266-Mediated Retinal Ganglion Cell Neuroprotection

Introduction: Previous studies have shown that intranasally administered ST266, a novel biological secretome of amnion-derived multipotent progenitor cells containing multiple growth factors and anti-inflammatory cytokines, attenuated visual dysfunction and prevented retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss in experimental optic neuritis. Long-term effects and dose escalation studies examined here have not been reported previously.

Methods: Optic neuritis was induced in the multiple sclerosis model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). EAE and control mice were treated once or twice daily with intranasal placebo/vehicle or ST266 beginning after onset of optic neuritis for either 15 days or continuously until sacrifice. Visual function was assessed by optokinetic responses (OKRs). RGC survival and optic nerve inflammation and demyelination were measured.

Results: Both once and twice daily continuous intranasal ST266 treatment from disease onset to 56 days after EAE induction significantly increased OKR scores, decreased RGC loss, and reduced optic nerve inflammation and demyelination compared with placebo (saline, nonspecific protein solution, or cell culture media)-treated EAE mice. ST266 treatment given for just 15 days after disease onset, then discontinued, only delayed OKR decreases, and had limited effects on RGC survival and optic nerve inflammation 56 days after disease induction.

Conclusions: ST266 is a potential neuroprotective therapy to prevent RGC damage, and intranasal delivery warrants further study as a novel mechanism to deliver protein therapies for optic neuropathies. Results suggest that once daily ST266 treatment is sufficient to sustain maximal benefits and demonstrate that neuroprotective effects promoted by ST266 are specific to the combination of factors present in this complex biologic therapy.