November 7, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Blocking NLRP3 inflammasome eases MS severity in mouse model Blocking the activity of a protein complex called the NLRP3 inflammasome lessened disease severity in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis (MS), a study reports. Results point to NLRP3 as a promising target to ease inflammation in people with MS, but additional studies will be needed to determine the…
October 23, 2023 News by Lindsey Shapiro, PhD Protein that helps immune cells infiltrate MS brain ID’d in mice In a surprise discovery, researchers found that deleting a protein called integrin alpha-3 blocked harmful immune cells from accessing the brain ā and prevented the onset of symptoms ā in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis (MS). Now, the researchers say that targeting this protein might be one way…
May 8, 2023 News by Margarida Maia, PhD Myeloid cells with added ‘backpack’ may help halt MS inflammation Attaching a kind of molecule backpack to myeloid cells ā a type of immune cells involved in the inflammatory attack that drives multiple sclerosis (MS) ā may help to halt inflammation and damage in the brain in MS by modulating immune cell activity, a study…
March 17, 2023 News by Steve Bryson, PhD Vitamin D receptor defines 2 distinct lines of immune cells: Early study The body has two distinct lineages of immune cells that can be distinguished by the presence or absence of the vitamin D receptor, a preclinical study reports. The findings shed more light on how vitamin D fine-tunes immune responses and may help researchers better understand the link between vitamin…
December 8, 2022 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Novel CAR T-cell Therapy Shows Promise in MS Mouse Study Researchers have developed a technique that uses CAR T-cells, a form of cell therapy, to specifically eliminate the self-reactive immune cells that drive multiple sclerosis (MS), without destroying healthy immune cells needed to protect against infection. “Our CAR-T cells were very effective at treating mice that have an MS-like…
March 28, 2022 News by Steve Bryson, PhD Key to Unlocking Blood-brain Barrier Discovered in Mouse Study A team of researchers has discovered that the key to bypassing the blood-brain barrier ā a semipermeable border that protects the brain against toxins in the blood but also blocks potential treatments ā is the Unc5B receptor in the endothelial cells that line the tiny blood vessels in the brain.
March 24, 2022 News by Marisa Wexler, MS STAT5 Protein Complex Implicated in MS Autoimmunity in Mice A four-protein complex, or tetramer, of the protein STAT5 is involved in the development of multiple sclerosis (MS)-like autoimmune disease in mice, a new study shows. The findings point to this protein complex and its signaling pathway as a potential treatment in MS and other autoimmune conditions, scientists noted.
February 25, 2022 News by Marisa Wexler, MS #ACTRIMS2022 ā Blocking Fibulin-2 Protein May Increase Remyelination A matrix protein called fibulin-2, which is increased in multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions, blocks the activity of oligodendrocytes, the cells responsible for making myelin. Blocking this protein may be a promising approach to restore myelin in people with the neurodegenerative disease, a study in mice showed. The data was…
November 30, 2021 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Some Cell Therapies Work by Dying, New Research Shows Certain cell therapies that hold promise for treating autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis might work not because of the way the cells live in the body during treatment, but because of how they die. A better understanding of how these cell therapies work “is important in designing treatment protocols…
June 28, 2021 News by Marta Figueiredo, PhD Scientists Working on More Efficient Way to Deliver CBD A team of scientists is working on a new delivery method that would use tiny capsules for gettingĀ cannabidoil, or CBD, to the brain. According to a study in mice, microcapsules containing cannabidiol can be combined with vesicles carrying a bile acid ā an acid found in the gut ā…
June 14, 2021 News by Steve Bryson, PhD Scientists Discover Enzyme Needed for Activating Myelin Repair The enzyme TET1, which is progressively lost with age, is essential to activate genes needed to repair myelin ā the sheath around nerve cells that is damaged in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) ā a study in mice has found. The…
February 26, 2021 News by Marisa Wexler, MS #ACTRIMS2021 – Young Brain Fluid (CSF) Rejuvenates Memory in Mice Editorās note: TheĀ Multiple Sclerosis News Today news team is providing in-depth and unparalleled coverage of the virtual ACTRIMS Forum 2021, Feb. 25-27. GoĀ hereĀ to see all the latest stories from the conference. Factors in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) surrounding the brain and spinal cord change with age and can affect…
August 14, 2018 News by Ana Pena PhD Detailed Map of Mouse Nervous System May Help Uncover Origin of Neurological Diseases, Including MS Researchers have created a detailed map of the mouse nervous system, including the location of the many diverse cell types in the brain, in the largest study yet of the makeup of the mammalian nervous system.Ā The new map could provide new clues about the origin of neurological…