MS Patient’s Pick of the Week’s News: Myelin, Posture, ‘Rare’ Molecule, T-cells, CBDs

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This is my Pick of the Weekā€™s News, as published by Multiple Sclerosis News Today.

Study of Myelin-producing Cells a Step Forward for MS, Other Neurological Disorders

Isn’t it strange how often in the world of science, something of importance is found in an unconnected study? Here, they found something that could benefit MS while looking at rabies.

A study found that the cells responsible for the production of myelinĀ selectively introduce a myelin-insulating layer in a particular set of neuronal axons in the brainā€™s white matter.

This represents a step forward in the basic mechanisms that may underlie neurological disorders, including multiple sclerosis. Also, aĀ newly developed method to visualize these cells will help scientists investigate demyelinating diseases.

The study, ā€œRabies virus-mediated oligodendrocyte labeling reveals a single oligodendrocyte myelinates axons from distinct brain regions,ā€ was recently published in the journalĀ Glia.

Glial cells are a type of cell found in the central nervous system. Although they are not neurons, they have crucial functions: maintaining homeostasis, forming myelin, and providing support and protection for neurons.

In the brain, there areĀ three kinds of glial cells: oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, and microglial. The major function of oligodendrocytes is to form myelin, the insulator layer protecting neuronal axons and increasing the velocity of neuronal impulses.

I find this encouraging as any step forward in the understanding of how the neurological system works must be welcomed.

Degree of Posture Difficulties in MS Linked to Areas of Nervous System Most Damaged by Disease

This is an area that is of particular interest to people who cannot stand or walk as upright as they used to, or fall easily.

Posture control is a complex skill, requiring differentĀ areas of the nervous system to work well and to work together ā€” but the damage caused by multiple sclerosis complicates such nervous system multi-tasking, leading to postural problems and the well-established tendency for MS patients to fall.

Several neurological systems are known to control motor skills and posture: the pyramidal system, composed of long nerve fibers that start in the brain and terminate in the brainstem or spinal cord; the cerebellar system, which is responsible for coordination and precision movement; and the sensory system, which allows the brain to interpret signals from the immediate environment.

The study, ā€œStatic Posturography and Falls According to Pyramidal, Sensory and Cerebellar Functional Systems in People with Multiple Sclerosis,ā€ published in the journalĀ Plos One, looked atĀ specific neurological functional systems and how they affectĀ posture control parameters and the incidence of falls in MS patients.

MS patients with disease-related damageĀ only to the pyramidal system hadĀ less postural stabilityĀ thanĀ patients with cerebellar and sensory impairments. ButĀ the addition of sensory impairments to pyramidal dysfunction did not worsen a personā€™sĀ postural control. Not surprisingly, patients with damage to only a single neurological system showed betterĀ stability compared to those with multipleĀ system impairment.

During my recent visit to Moscow, it was established that I do have a localized degree of spinal deformity.

ā€˜Rareā€™ Molecule in Immune System Turns Out to Be Common, and May Be Part of What Goes Wrong in MS

Now this, I hope you will agree, is interesting; a so-called ā€˜rareā€™ type of immune molecule has now been discovered to be quite common.

Researchers have discovered that a type of immune molecule ā€” called ā€œspliced epitopes,ā€ once believed to be very rare Ā ā€” in fact makes up a large part of the molecules labeling cells as belonging to the body, and those that are invaders. The finding may wellĀ change our understanding of multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases.

The study,Ā ā€œA large fraction of HLA class I ligands are proteasome-generated spliced peptides,ā€Ā recently published in the journalĀ Science, may explain both the great flexibility of the immune systemĀ andĀ its inclination to err.Ā This new view of the immune system may advanceĀ research not only into MS, but also in other immune-related areas, including cancer.

When cells of the immune system scan their surroundings for invading microbes, they are not able to ā€œseeā€ an entire bacterium or virus. Instead, they recognize protein fragments.

Earlier studies found that some of these protein pieces consisted of two parts fused together. While working to map cancer mutations, researchers atĀ Imperial College London, andĀ CharitĆ© ā€“ UniversitƤtsmedizin BerlinĀ and theĀ Berlin Institute of HealthĀ tookĀ a new approachĀ to map the surface of cells.

To their surprise, they discovered that fused proteins ā€” which researchers refer to as spliced epitopes ā€” made up nearly one-third of such fragments on human cells.

ā€œWhile we were aware of the existence of these combined epitopes, we always considered them to be rather rare,ā€ Dr. Michele Mishto at the Berlin Institute, the studyā€™s senior author, said in aĀ press release.Ā ā€œHowever, our results suggest that they are very frequent and are a key element in the immune response. Finding out their exact function and mode of operation may change our understanding of the immune system.ā€

Just how something that has now been established as being common can have been considered as rare is beyond me, but then, I am no scientist.

Relapses in MS Patients Using Gilenya May Be Result of Changes Within T-cells, Study Reports

Now this looks as though this may, hopefully, be the start of our understanding of the Gilenya relapse issue. Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 

Changes in the composition of certain immune system cells may be associated with relapses in multiple sclerosis patients being treated withĀ GilenyaĀ (fingolimod), according toĀ a study published in the journalĀ Scientific Reports.

The study, ā€œAltered T Cell Phenotypes Associated With Clinical Relapse Of Multiple Sclerosis Patients Receiving Fingolimod Therapy,ā€ was conducted by researchers in Japan.

In MS patients, immune cells called T-cells penetrate the brain and react against the myelin coating that protects and supports neurons. But before this autoimmune response occurs, T-cells undergo certain migratory steps.

There are currently two approved MS drugs that target the migration of immune cells: Gilenya andĀ TysabriĀ (natalizumab).

Gilenya acts by inhibiting the movementĀ of T-cells from secondary lymphoid organs, and by decreasing the number of central memory T-cells (TCM), which are mediators of inflammation.Ā Clinical trialsĀ have demonstrated itsĀ effectiveness in reducing clinical relapses.

But certain studies suggestĀ that Gilenya does not lower the number ofĀ TCM cells in the peripheral blood (blood that flows to the extremities) sufficiently, and the medication is associated with relapses during treatment. But whether theseĀ relapses are caused by peripheralĀ bloodĀ levels of TCM cells or other mechanisms is still unclear.

It will be good for everyone involved, the manufacturer, the medical profession and the users, to put this behind them.

AXIM Moving Ahead with Testing of Cannabinoid Products, Including Chewing Gum for MS Patients

The testing of products derived from marijuana that may help people with MS and other diseases is set to continue, thanks to private funding.

AXIM BiotechnologiesĀ Ā announced it has secured financing from private sources to continue its testing of medicalĀ cannabinoid (CBD) products as potential treatments forĀ multiple indications, includingĀ pain andĀ spasticityĀ in people with multiple sclerosis.

Specifically, AXIM is testing pharmaceutical delivery systems andĀ active ingredients for itsĀ medical marijuana line.

ā€œThis financing provides us with the opportunity to boldly continue our efforts in the extremely promising and intricate space of cannabinoid-based therapeutics,ā€ George E. Anastassov, MD, AXIM Biotechnologiesā€™ CEO, said in aĀ press release. ā€œWeā€™re pleased that our investors have the full trust that we do in our executive team and advisory boardĀ ā€¦Ā leaders with proven track records in the multiple indications our company is developing products for.ā€

One of the companyā€™s most promising therapeutics isĀ MedChew Rx, a chewing gum containing cannabinoids, being developed to addressĀ pain and muscle spasticity in MS patients. The gum is designedĀ to offer more consistent relief than existing cannabis-derived products meant to be smoked or eaten.

I have been asked if Iā€™d take medical marijuana and, quite honestly, the question has gone unanswered. This is not because of any awkwardness on my part but the fact that it would be unlikely to benefit me at the moment. If faced with severe pain, the answer may well be yes.

Note:Ā Multiple Sclerosis News TodayĀ is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those ofĀ Multiple Sclerosis News Today, or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to multiple sclerosis.