Neuregulins as modulators of cellular communication

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods of affecting cellular communication in a vertebrate. The communication is affected by the administration of a neuregulin to a vertebrate, where the neuregulin interacts with a first cell type which results in the production of a product (i.e., Product A). This product, in turn, affects the function of a second cell type. Methods are disclosed in which the affect in function of the second cell type, described above, results in the production of a second product (i.e., Product B) which, in turn, can affect the function of the first cell type or a third cell type. Additional methods are included for treatment of disorders involving an altered or inadequate level of production of a product involved in cellular communication.

1 . A method of treating a neurological disorder involving neuronal degeneration in a mammal, comprising administration of a therapeutically effective amount of neuregulin with p185 erbB2 , P185 erbB3  or p185 erbB4  binding activity to said mammal wherein said neuregulin interacts with neuronal-associated cells, resulting in the production of at least one neurotrophic agent which affects the mitotic activity, survival, differentiation or neurite outgrowth of neuronal cells.  
     
     
         2 . A method of treating peripheral neuropathy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophy, nerve injury, Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease and spinal cord injury comprising administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a nueregulin with p185 erbB2 , P185 erbB3  or p185 erbB4  binding activity wherein said neuregulin interacts with neuronal-associated cells, resulting in production of at least one neurotrophic agent by said neuronal-associated cells and said neurotrophic agent or agents affect the mitotic activity, survival, differentiation or neurite outgrowth of neuronal cells.  
     
     
         3 . A method of affecting cellular communication between neuronal-associated cells and neuronal cells in the central nervous system of a vertebrate, comprising administration of a neuregulin with p185 erbB2 , P185 erbB3  or p185 erbB4  binding activity to said vertebrate wherein said neuregulin interacts with said neuronal-associated cells, and said neurotrophic agent or agents affect the mitotic activity, survival, differentiation of neurite outgrowth of said neuronal cells.  
     
     
         4 . A method of  claim 3  wherein said neuronal-associated cells are nervous system support cells.  
     
     
         5 . A method of  claim 3  wherein said neuronal-associated cells are glial cells.  
     
     
         6 . A method of  claim 3  wherein said neuronal-associated cells are astrocytes.  
     
     
         7 . A method of  claim 3  wherein said neuronal-associated cells are oligodendrocytes.  
     
     
         8 . A method of  claim 3  wherein said neuronal-associated cells are microglia.  
     
     
         9 . A method of  claim 3  wherein said neuronal cells are cholinergic neurons.  
     
     
         10 . A method of  claim 3  wherein said neuronal cells are non-cholinergic neurons.  
     
     
         11 . A method of treating a neurological disorder involving neuronal degeneration in the central nervous system of a mammal, comprising administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a neuregulin with p185 erbB2 , P185 erbB3  or p185 erbB4  binding activity to said mammal wherein said neuregulin interacts with neuronal-associated cells, resulting in the production of at least one neurotrophic agent which affects the mitotic activity, survival, differentiation or neurite outgrowth of neuronal cells.  
     
     
         12 . A method of treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophy, nerve injury, Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease and spinal cord injury comprising administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a neuregulin with p185 erbB2 , P185 erbB3  or p185 erbB4  binding activity wherein said neuregulin interacts with neuronal-associated cells, resulting in production of at least one neurotrophic agent by said neuronal-associated cells and said neurotrophic agent or agents affect the mitotic activity, survival, differentiation or neurite outgrowth of neuronal cells.