Glatiramer (acetate)

Glatiramer acetate, a synthetic analogue of myelin basic protein and an immunomodulating agent, can be used for the research of multiple sclerosis. Glatiramer acetate exhibits strong and promiscuous binding to MHC molecules and consequent competition with various myelin antigens for their presentation to T cells. A further aspect of its action is potent induction of specific suppressor cells of the T helper 2 (Th2) type that migrate to the brain and lead to in situ bystander suppression^[1][2][3]. In Vitro: Glatiramer acetate (25-100 mg/kg; S.c; 5 days) increase BDNF levels^[3].
In huntington’s disease (HD) mouse model, the N171-82Q transgenic mouse line, which exhibits a more rapidly progressing disease course. Glatiramer acetate (1 mg/mouse; s.c.; 5×week) beginning at 8 weeks of age and continuing until 20 weeks of age, which is near the age of death due to the disease. Glatiramer acetate elicited improves performance on several motor function measures. Glatiramer acetate significantly improves the performance of N171-82Q transgenic mice at 15 weeks of age in the rotarod test measured over the course of 4 days^[3].