Senesco's Proprietary Factor 5A Gene Controls the Formation of
TNF-Alpha and TNF-Alpha-Induced Apoptosis
Implications for Treatment of Glaucoma and Inflammation
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J.--Dec. 11, 2003--Senesco Technologies, Inc.
("Senesco" or the "Company") (AMEX:SNT) has demonstrated that
inhibition of its proprietary gene, Eukaryotic Translation Initiation
Factor 5A1 ("Factor 5A1"), can significantly reduce apoptosis (cell
death) caused by tumor necrosis factor alpha ("TNF-alpha"). TNF-alpha
is a powerful pro-inflammatory cytokine that mediates the response of
the immune system to infection and trauma, and it is known to activate
apoptosis as well as cause inflammation. Senesco performed tests on
lamina cribrosa cells from the human optic nerve head and on an
epithelial cell line from the human intestine using a newly
synthesized highly specific inhibitor of Factor 5A1 function.
By inhibiting Factor 5A1, Senesco blocked TNF-alpha-induced
apoptosis by 80 percent in lamina cribrosa cells of the human optic
nerve head. TNF-alpha is strongly upregulated in the optic nerve head
of the glaucomatous eye, and TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis appears to be
an important determinant of the progressive neurodegeneration
characteristic of glaucoma. Thus, inhibition of TNF-alpha-induced
apoptosis may reduce damage to the optic nerve during glaucoma.
Crohn's disease can lead to apoptosis of intestinal epithelial
cells and destruction of the lining of the bowel through production of
cytokines such as TNF-alpha. The Company has found that inhibition of
Factor 5A1 in a human intestinal epithelial cell line not only
protects these cells from cytokine-induced apoptosis, but also
decreases production of TNF-alpha protein by 90 percent. This dual
effect of the Company's inhibitor of Factor 5A1 indicates that it
could have therapeutic potential for patients suffering from
inflammatory bowel disorders such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative
colitis.
John E. Thompson, Ph.D., Senesco's Executive Vice President of
Research commented, "Senesco's finding that our proprietary gene
Factor 5A1 mediates TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis of lamina cribrosa
cells has established that Factor 5A1 may be an important new target
for the development of therapeutics for controlling glaucoma. We are
particularly pleased that our inhibitor of Factor 5A1 proved to be
such a potent suppressor of TNF-alpha-induced death of lamina cribrosa
cells, for it indicates that this inhibitor, and others like it, may
have potential to be used as a drug for controlling glaucoma."
"TNF-alpha has been implicated in diseases attributable to
premature apoptosis including rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's
disease," stated Bruce Galton, Senesco's President and CEO. "Our
finding that the apoptotic actions of TNF-alpha can be blocked by
inhibitors of Factor 5A1 has important implications for the control of
disease states attributable to up-regulation of TNF-alpha. The dual
action of Senesco's inhibitor of Factor 5A1, that of blocking the
formation of TNF-alpha, as well as its ability to induce cell death,
is a novel feature in comparison with current drugs that target
TNF-alpha. We believe that this inhibitor could have potential for
development of a therapeutic for controlling disease states arising
from uncontrolled production of TNF-alpha."
About Senesco Technologies, Inc.
Senesco takes its name from the scientific term for the aging of
plant cells: senescence. The Company has developed technology that
regulates the onset of cell death. Delaying cell breakdown in plants
extends freshness after harvesting, while increasing crop yields,
plant size and resistance to environmental stress for flowers, fruits
and vegetables. The Company believes that its technology can be used
to develop superior strains of crops without any modification other
than delaying natural plant senescence. Senesco has begun to explore
ways to trigger or delay cell death in mammals (apoptosis) to
determine if the technology is applicable in human medicine.
Accelerating apoptosis may have applications to development of cancer
treatments. Delaying apoptosis may have applications to certain
diseases such as Alzheimer's, glaucoma, ischemia and arthritis, among
others. Senesco partners with leading-edge companies and earns
research and development fees for applying its gene-regulating
platform technology to enhance its partners' products. Senesco is
headquartered in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and utilizes research
laboratories at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada and the
University of Colorado in Denver, Colorado. |
