Abstract
Background Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a devastating form of cerebrovascular disease for which there are no approved pharmacological interventions that improve outcomes. Apolipoprotein E (apoE) has emerged as a promising therapeutic target given its neuroprotective properties and ability to modify neuroinflammatory responses. We developed a 5-amino acid peptide, CN-105, that mimics the polar face of the apoE helical domain involved in receptor interactions, readily crosses the blood-brain barrier, and improves outcomes in well-established preclinical ICH models. In the current study, we investigated the therapeutic potential of CN-105 in translational ICH models that account for hypertensive comorbidity, sex, species, and age.
Methods In three separate experiments, we delivered three intravenous doses of CN-105 (up to 0.20 mg/kg) or vehicle to hypertensive male BPH/2J mice, spontaneously hypertensive female rats, or 11-month old male mice within 24-hours of ICH. Neuropathological and neurobehavioral outcomes were determined over 3, 7, and 9 days, respectively.
Results In spontaneously hypertensive male mice, there was a significant dose-dependent effect of CN-105 on vestibulomotor function at 0.05 and 0.20 mg/kg doses (p < 0.05; 95% CI: 0.91 – 153.70 and p < 0.001; 95% CI: 49.54 – 205.62), while 0.20 mg/kg also improved neuroseverity scores (p < 0.05; 95% CI: 0.27 – 11.00) and reduced ipsilateral brain edema (p < 0.05; 95% CI: −0.037 – −0.001). In spontaneously hypertensive female rats, CN-105 (0.05 mg/kg) had a significant effect on vestibulomotor function (p < 0.01; η2 = 0.093) and neuroseverity scores (p < 0.05; η2 = 0.083), and reduced contralateral edema expansion (p < 0.01; 95% CI: −1.41 – −0.39). In 11-month old male mice, CN-105 had a significant effect on vestibulomotor function (p < 0.001; η2 = 0.111) but not neuroseverity scores (p > 0.05; η2 = 0.034).
Conclusions Acute treatment with CN-105 improves outcomes in translational ICH models independent of sex, species, age, or hypertensive comorbidity.
Competing Interest Statement
Dr. Laskowitz is an officer and has equity in AegisCN, LLC which supplied the study drug. Dr. Wang serves as a consultant for and Dr. James has received grant funding from AegisCN, LLC. AegisCN, LLC had no editorial control over the study design, its execution, or the writing of this manuscript. Duke University has equity and an intellectual property stake in CN-105.