Brain Cell Death May Cause Multiple Sclerosis And Cause Autoimmune Response Against Myelin

Multiple sclerosis (MS) may be triggered by the death of myelin-producing brain cells (oligodendrocytes), leading to an autoimmune response against myelin. The findings come from researchers at the University of Chicago and Northwestern Medicine who developed novel mouse models to conduct their studies. The researchers found that the death of oligodendrocytes triggers an autoimmune response against myelin, triggering multiple sclerosis-like symptoms in mice.

On the other hand, the researchers found that the reaction can be prevented by using specially developed nanoparticles even after brain cells are lost. These nanoparticles are now being developed in clinical trials with the potential for future treatments for humans.

Co-senior author Brian Popko said, “Although this was a study in mice, we first demonstrated one mechanism that could induce MS - the death of the cells responsible for generating myelin. cause autoimmune activation response against. Protecting these cells in susceptible individuals may help delay or prevent MS. "

In their genetically engineered mouse model, the researchers focused on myelin-producing cells. After killing oligodendrocytes, the mice suffered multiple sclerosis-like symptoms that impaired their ability to walk. But after this event, the nervous system began to regenerate the oligodendrocytes again, allowing the mice to walk again. After six months, however, the mice had difficulty walking again, the researchers noted.

Coauthor Maria Traka said, "To our knowledge, this is the first evidence that oligodendrocyte death can induce myelin autoimmunity, initiating inflammation and tissue damage in the central nervous system during MS."

Developmental abnormalities, viruses, bacterial toxins, or environmental pollutants may cause the death of oligodendrocytes. The researchers speculate that multiple sclerosis can occur in humans after a single brain trauma, and that oligodendrocytes may die.

The researchers are now working on nanoparticle technology as a potential treatment for multiple sclerosis.

Repairing damaged MS myelin can restore damaged function

There is a new promise that you will receive multiple sclerosis treatment and restore the cognitive functions involved by repairing damaged myelin. Due to the extensive efforts of the National MS Society, we are taking steps closer to halting the progression of multiple sclerosis. Some ongoing initiatives include clinical trials to stimulate the brain 's natural ability to repair itself, tests on the ability of stem cells to treat multiple sclerosis, research into ways to protect the nervous system, and developing methods to monitor the successful repair.

The brain has a natural ability to repair itself, which is true, but myelin repair is often stopped or blocked - and the cause of this is still unknown. Current clinical trials seek to better understand this process in order to find a way to promote myelin repair. The researchers are focusing on oligodendrocytes as a way to promote myelin repair.

The popularity of stem cell therapy is also growing, and much progress has been made in the last decade. Although much more research is needed to determine the effectiveness of stem cell therapy in multiple sclerosis, several studies have already found that stem cell transplantation into mouse brains induced myelin repair, and by injecting stem cells into the spinal cord allowed mice to recover from MS -like symptoms.

Finally, the Society is looking at ways to protect the nervous system with medications and supplements, including ibudilast, lipoic acid, and phenytoin.

As the National MS Society continues to run clinical trials and conduct more research, we hope that one day multiple sclerosis can be better managed and cured.