METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR REDUCING INFLAMMATION BY NEUROMODULATION OF T-CELL ACTIVITY

• US 20090247934A1
• Filed: 03/31/2009
• Published: 10/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Feinstein Institutes For Medical Research
• Original Assignee: The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research (Northwell Health, Inc.)
• Inventors: Rosas-Ballina, Mauricio, Tracey, Kevin J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,211,409 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/326 for promoting growth of cells, e.g. bone cells
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3605 Implantable neurostimulators for stimulating central or peripheral nerve system
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 17/06 Antipsoriatics
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 19/02 for joint disorders, e.g. arthritis, arthrosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 29/00 Non-central analgesic, antipyretic or antiinflammatory agents, e.g. antirheumatic agents; Non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs [NSAID]

Abstract

Described herein are devices, systems and method of treating inflammation, including methods of treating a T-cell mediated disease. In particular, described herein are methods of treating inflammation including the steps of stimulating a subject'"'"'s inflammatory reflex to inhibit the immune response and administering a T-cell modifying agent to modify the activity of splenic T-cells. Also described herein are systems for treating inflammation including an inflammatory reflex stimulation module and a T-cell response modifying module. The T-cell response modifying module typically modifies the response of splenic T-cells to enhance or otherwise regulate the effect of stimulation of the inflammatory reflex.

Claims

1. A method of treating an inflammatory response, the method comprising:

stimulating a subject'"'"'s inflammatory reflex to inhibit the immune response; and

administering a T-cell modifying agent.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of stimulating the subject'"'"'s inflammatory reflex comprises electrically stimulating the subject'"'"'s inflammatory reflex to inhibit the immune response

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of stimulating the subject'"'"'s inflammatory reflex comprises mechanically stimulating the subject'"'"'s inflammatory reflex to inhibit the immune response.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the T-cell modifying agent is selected from the group consisting of:

glucocorticoids, antibody agents, peptide agents, drugs, and pro-drugs.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the T-cell modifying agent comprises an agent that potentiates splenic acetylcholine.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the T-cell modifying agent comprises an AChE inhibitor.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of stimulating the subject'"'"'s inflammatory reflex comprises stimulating the subject'"'"'s vagus nerve.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of administering the T-cell modifying agent comprises systemic administration of the T-cell modifying agent.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of administering the T-cell modifying agent comprises local administration of the T-cell modifying agent to the splenic region.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of administering the T-cell modifying agent comprises administering the T-cell modifying agent before stimulating the inflammatory reflex.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of stimulating the inflammatory reflex comprises repeatedly and periodically stimulating the subject'"'"'s inflammatory reflex.

12. A method of treating T cell-mediated diseases comprising:

identifying a patient suffering from a condition mediated by T-cell cells;

stimulating the subject'"'"'s inflammatory reflex; and

administering a T-cell modifying agent.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the T-cell mediated disease is selected from the group consisting of:

transplant rejection, rheumatoid arthritis, Psoriasis, or multiple sclerosis.

14. A system for treating the inflammatory reflex, the system comprising:

an inflammatory reflex stimulation module configured to repeatedly stimulate a patient'"'"'s inflammatory reflex and thereby inhibit the inflammation;

a T-cell modification module configured to administer a T-cell modifying agent to T-cells in a patient'"'"'s spleen;

wherein the T-cell modification module and the inflammatory reflex stimulation module communicate to coordinate stimulation of the inflammatory reflex and administration of the T-cell modifying agent.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the T-cell modification module comprises an implantable drug delivery device.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the inflammatory reflex stimulation module comprises one or more electrodes configured to stimulate the vagus nerve and a controller configured to apply energy to one or more electrodes within a range sufficient to inhibit inflammation.