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Updated: Feb 1, 2026

In Vitro Characterization of Histone Chaperones using Analytical, Pull-Down and Chaperoning Assays
Published on: December 29, 2021
Metal chaperones: a novel therapeutic strategy for brain injury?
S D Portbury1, A Sedjahtera1, K Perrones1
1a The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Dementia Theme , Parkville, Victoria , Australia.
Objective:
This study sought to assess the potential efficacy of a novel class of metal chaperone on the outcomes in an animal model of a controlled cortical impact. This work was predicated on previous observations that this class of compound has exhibited neuroprotective potential in other models of aging and neurodegeneration.
Research Design:
The study employed a controlled cortical impact traumatic brain injury in three month old mice with subsequent behavioral and cellular assessments to determine therapeutic efficacy.
Methods:
Cognitive (Y-maze) and motor assessments (Rotarod and Open Field) were employed to determine behavioral end points. Histological-based methods were utilized to assess neuronal integrity, astrocytosis, and lesion volume.
Outcomes:
We demonstrate here that acute post-injury treatment with PBT2 (Prana Biotechnology) is sufficient to maintain neuronal integrity (evidenced by decreased lesion area and increased numbers of neurons; decreased astrocytosis was also present) and to normalize performance in cognitive testing (Y-maze). These effects occurred within days and were maintained for the entire duration of the study (26 days post-injury). These data support the further interrogation of the utility of metal chaperones for the treatment and/or prevention of the neuroanatomical, biochemical, and behavioral deficits that occur following brain injuries of different etiologies.
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