Hucbc treatment of amyloid-associated disease

Abstract

Administration of human umbilical cord blood cells (HUCBC) or HUCBC-derived plasma is used to treat amyloid-based diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, and type-II diabetes. Modulating inflammatory reactions by infusing HUCBC resulted in a marked reduction of amyloid plaques and immune-associated cellular damage. HUCBC infusion also significantly reduced cerebral amyloid angiopathy in mice models. These effects were associated with suppression of the CD40-CD40L interaction and a reduction in surface expressed CD-40 was observed on immune cells. Further, Aβ phagocytic activity was increased and soluble and insoluble Aβ protein levels were modulated by treatment. HUCBC-infused sera also significantly increased phagocytosis of Aβ 1-42 peptide and inhibited immune cell CD40 expression and reduced cerebral amyloid angiopathy.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of treating amyloid beta associated disease, comprising the step of:
 administering a biological composition of human umbilical cord blood cells to a patient suffering from an amyloid beta associated disease.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the amyloid beta associated disease is selected from the group consisting of Alzheimer's disease, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, Huntington's disease, and type II diabetes. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the human umbilical cord blood cells further comprise a substantially purified mononuclear cell fraction. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the biological composition is peripherally administered. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the biological composition is administered to the patient at or before occurrence of visible beta-amyloid deposits. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the biological composition is administered in multiple doses. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the biological composition is administered in a single dose. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the biological composition modulates at least one peptide selected from the group consisting of CD40 and CD40L. 
     
     
         9 . A method of treating an amyloid beta associated disease comprising:
 administering a therapeutically effective amount of a biological composition consisting of a mononuclear cell fraction of human umbilical cord blood cells to a patient suffering from an amyloid beta associated disease;   wherein administration of the biological composition results in decreased expression of CD40 and CD40L.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the amyloid beta associated disease is selected from the group consisting of Alzheimer's disease, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, Huntington's disease, and type II diabetes. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the biological composition is peripherally administered. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the biological composition is administered in multiple doses. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the biological composition is administered in a single dose. 
     
     
         14 . A method of decreasing Aβ deposits in a patient suffering from an amyloid beta associated disease comprising the step of:
 administering a biological composition consisting of a mononuclear cell fraction of human umbilical cord blood cells to the patient in need thereof. 
 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the amyloid beta associated disease is selected from the group consisting of Alzheimer's disease, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, Huntington's disease, and type II diabetes. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the biological composition is peripherally administered. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the biological composition is administered in multiple doses. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the biological composition is administered in a single dose.