October 25, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD #MSParis2017 – Researchers Suggest Propionic Acid Could Be Used as Add-on Treatment in MS Propionic acid supplements alter the composition and behavior of immune cells in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients ā likely by changing the composition of gut bacteria, according to Alexander Duscha from Ruhr University BochumĀ in Bochum, Germany. The finding, presented Wednesday at the 7th Joint ECTRIMS-ACTRIMS MeetingĀ running in Paris…
October 24, 2017 News by Iqra Mumal, MSc Atara Biotherapeutics Starts Phase 1 Clinical Trial of Its MS Immunotherapy ATA188 Atara BiotherapeuticsĀ has startedĀ a Phase 1 clinical trial to assess ATA188’s safety and potential to treat progressive or relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. ATA188 is the companyās next-generation T-cell immunotherapy. It targets Epstein-Barr virus antigens that play an important role in the development of MS. An antigen is a molecule capable of…
October 19, 2017 News by Alice MelĆ£o, MSc Inhibiting HDAC1 Enzyme Prevents Mice from Developing MS-like Disease, Study Finds Inhibiting an enzyme prevented mice from developing aĀ multiple sclerosis-like disease, a European study reports. The finding about HDAC1, aĀ member of the histone deacetylases family of enzymes, could open up new therapy possibilities for MS. Researchers published their study, āA T cell-specific deletion of HDAC1 protects against experimental…
September 14, 2017 Columns by Tamara Sellman The MS Alphabet: Hemiparesis, Helper T-cells, HLA and Other ‘H’ Terms (Editorās note: Tamara Sellman continues her occasional series on the MS alphabet with this column about terms starting with the letter H.) Symptoms of MS Hemiparesis (and hemiplegia) When someone with MS experiences weakness along one entire side of the body, they…
August 23, 2017 News by Alice MelĆ£o, MSc Researchers Identify Nerve Pathway Linking Brain Inflammation, Gut Dysfunction in MS Chronic stress and inflammation in the brain can cause multi-organ dysfunction including severe gut failure, mediated by a newly identified nerve pathway in animal models of multiple sclerosis, a Japanese study shows. MS is an autoimmune disease caused by CD4+ T-cells that cross the blood-brain barrier protecting the central nervous system. This inflames and stresses the brain and spinal cord. In previous studies, a team led by professor Masaaki Murakami of Japan's Hokkaido University showed that these cells could cross the blood-brain barrier in specific sites. These entrance sites depend on brain regional activation, which was found to be triggered by specific nerve interactions ā a mechanism the team called gateway reflexes. In collaboration with other Japanese researchers and a team from Germany, the project aimed to address the potential correlation among chronic stress, brain inflammation and organ failures in MS. Using mice with MS-like disease ā the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis model ā researchers found that animals that had autoreactive CD4+ T-cells and which were exposed to stressful conditions developed severe symptoms such as gastrointestinal failure, or even death. Detailed analysis of the animals' brains showed that in stressed mice, CD4+ T-cells accumulated in two specific sites in the center of the brain around blood vessels. This event would cause inflammation around those vessels, and activation of a nerve pathway that is commonly turned off. This switch led to gut dysfunction, bleeding and failure. "These results demonstrate a direct link between brain micro-inflammation and fatal gastrointestinal diseases via the establishment of a new neural pathway under stress," Murakami, the study's senior author, said in a news release. Researchers were able to prevent gut symptoms by inhibiting inflammation in the brain or blocking the nerve pathway responsible for driving the signals from the brain to the gastrointestinal tract. "Micro-inflammation in the brain is also seen in Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease," Murakamai concluded. "So it's of particular interest to investigate possible connections between brain micro-inflammations and organ dysfunctions, including those within the brain itself, in those patients."
August 16, 2017 News by Iqra Mumal, MSc Enzyme Regulates Development of Specific T-cells That Contribute to Autoimmune Disease, Study Suggests A new study highlights a crucial role for the enzyme protein tyrosine phosphatase N2 in the development of early immune T-cells, and suggests that decreased levels of this enzyme can lead to the production of subsets of T-cells that contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis. T-cells, which are a type of immune cells that fight infection, are composed of multiple subsets that have different roles in immunity. Researchers at Monash University set out to characterize the role of PTPN2 in early T-cell development and in the development of T-cell subsets Ī±Ī² TCR and Ī³Ī“ TCR. To do this, researchers deleted the gene coding for PTPN2 and looked at the resulting T-cell population. Results demonstrated that the deletion of PTPN2 led to the production of Ī³Ī“ T-cells with pro-inflammatory properties that have been associated with many autoimmune diseases by inhibiting certain pathways that regulate proper T-cell development. āThis is an important advance in our understanding of critical checkpoints in T-cell development,ā Tony Tiganis, principal research fellow in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Monash University in Australia, said in a press release. āIt helps decide whether the progenitors go on to become T-cells or something else; if they become one type of T-cell or another type.ā Interestingly, there are already drugs that target some of the pathways that PTPN2 regulates, which could lead to the use of existing drugs to treat some of these autoimmune diseases, including MS. āUnderstanding the mechanisms that govern early T-cell development and how these are altered in human disease may ultimately afford opportunities for novel treatments. This is very exciting,ā said Florian Wiede, a post-doctoral candidate at Monash and first author of the study.
July 7, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Mavenclad Reduces MS Relapses by Resetting the Immune System New analyses of how Merckās Mavenclad (cladribine tablets) act to treat relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS) give researchers an entirely new picture of immune processes leading to the disease. Data showed that the drug lowers both immune B-cells and, to a lesser degree, T-cells. But the numbers of both cell…
June 14, 2017 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD Stressful Environment Triggers Inflammatory Cells Linked to Autoimmune Diseases Like MS, Study Shows A stressful microenvironment, characterized by low metabolites and low oxygen levels, triggers the generation of immune cells directly implicated in a variety of inflammatory diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS). The study, āCellular Stress in the Context of an Inflammatory Environment Supports TGF-Ī²-Independent T Helper-17 Differentiation,ā was…
June 13, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Unpublished Data May Point to Link Between Lemtrada and Other Autoimmune Diseases in MS Patients Previously unpublished results of clinical trials of Lemtrada (alemtuzumab) appears to contain key information as toĀ why many multiple sclerosis patients who use it develop other autoimmune diseases. Researchers looked at the immune cell mix after Lemtrada depleted many of those cells. They discovered that certain B-cells repopulate the body earlier…
June 7, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Ocrevus Phase 3 Trial Will Explore How Treatment Works by Viewing Changes in Spinal Fluid Already an approved treatment for relapsing and primary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) is still undergoingĀ scrutiny in several clinical trials. MostĀ focus on the drugās effects in specific patient groups, but one studyĀ aims to advanceĀ understanding ofĀ how Ocrevus works to harness disease. To do so, the open-label Phase 3…
May 23, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Brain IFN-gamma Drives MS Disease Processes, Russian Immune Factor Analysis Finds MS brain inflammation is a result of interactions between processes in the brain and the rest of the body, with interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) being a key player, according to a detailed analysis of cytokines in the spinal fluid and serum of MS patients. Russia’sĀ Kazan Federal UniversityĀ found that IFN-gamma activates other…
May 4, 2017 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD Cytomegalovirus Infection Worsens Multiple Sclerosis, Study in Mice Shows A cytomegalovirus infection triggers an increase in inflammatory and cytotoxic immune cells in mice with multiple sclerosis (MS), which leadsĀ to enhanced inflammation and loss of nerve-protecting myelin. The study, āCytomegalovirus infection exacerbates autoimmune mediated neuroinflammation,ā was published in the journal Scientific Reports. A cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection…
April 7, 2017 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD Exposure to Antibiotics Early in Life May Increase Risk for MS and Other Inflammatory Diseases, Study Suggests The use of antibiotics in childhood, whichĀ alters the microbiome ā or natural bacteria flora in the gut ā may increase the risk of multiple sclerosis (MS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and other inflammatory diseases, according to an Australian study. The mouse study, āEarly-life antibiotic treatment enhances the…
April 5, 2017 News by Joana Fernandes, PhD UCSF Neurologist Played Key Role in MS Research Turning to B-Cells, Essential Step to Ocrevus Dr. Stephen Hauser, chair of the neurology department at the University of California San Francisco, was instrumental in the early research and laterĀ clinical trials that ultimately led toĀ Ocrevus (ocrelizumab), the first therapyĀ approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)Ā for bothĀ relapsing MSĀ (RMS) and primary progressive multiple sclerosis…
April 5, 2017 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD UMD Team Reverses Paralysis in MS Mouse Model Using Novel Immunotherapy Strategy Scientists at the University of MarylandĀ have developed an experimental treatment to control the immune system and recover movement in a paralyzed mouse model of multiple sclerosis (MS). The team presented its research April 2 during theĀ 253rd National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical SocietyĀ in San Francisco. In…
March 20, 2017 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD EBI2 Receptor Facilitates T-cell Invasion of Brain in MS, Animal Study Shows Scientists have identified a receptor that promotes the influx of damaging immune T-cells into the brain of a mouse model of human multiple sclerosis (MS). The study, āEBI2 is highly expressed in multiple sclerosis lesions and promotes early CNS migration of encephalitogenic CD4 T cells,ā appearedĀ in the…
March 6, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Altered Immune Response in MS Is What May Allow Infections to Kill, Mouse Study Suggests It is no coincidence that multiple sclerosis (MS) patients are prone to airway infections, according to research showing that MS disease processes allow suppressive immune cells to travel to the lungs and block inflammatory responses against invading viruses. The study may offer guidance on how vaccines should be used to…
February 24, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD #ACTRIMS2017 – Some Fatty Acids in Diet Help, Others Hurt Immune System, Study Reports Short-chain dietary fatty acids, such as propionate, drive the production of regulatory immune T-cells in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), while long-chain acids promote T-cells that are involved in inflammatory processes. Since the beneficial fatty acids are safe and can be obtained as over-the-counter dietary supplements, researchers suggest they could…
February 23, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD #ACTRIMS2017 – Airway Infections May Be More Common in MS Due to Altered Immune Response in Lungs Disease processes in multiple sclerosis (MS) likely contribute to the increased sensitivity to airway infections seen in MS patients,Ā a series of experiments in mice demonstrated. The study, presented at theĀ ACTRIMS 2017 Forum, showed that suppressive immune cells travel to the lungs and prevent an essential inflammatory reaction to viral…
January 10, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Researchers Identify 2 Cytokines Responsible for Chronic Flares in Autoimmune Diseases Researchers have identified two factors that allow Th17 cells āĀ Ā which drive multiple sclerosis (MS) and other autoimmune conditions āĀ to form memory cells in the body and cause repeated symptom flare-ups. Knowing the identity of the molecules, which are immune mediators called cytokines, will make it possible for scientists to search…
December 6, 2016 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Study Detailing New Way T-cells Attack Myelin May Explain Why Some MS Therapies Fail In a new and possibly important insight into the workings of the immune system, researchers discovered what it takes for T-cells to start targeting myelin sheets in multiple sclerosis (MS). The findings may also explain why some drugs fail to prevent autoimmunity in MS. The study, āTrans-presentation…
November 23, 2016 News by Alice MelĆ£o, MSc New Research into T-cells May Lead to Immune-based Therapies for MS, Other Diseases A recent study published in Nature CommunicationsĀ showed, for the first time, that a protein complex called LUBAC is responsible for controlling the late-stage development of immune T-cells before they are released into the bloodstream. Several types of cells compose the immune system, working together to fight infections or cancer.
October 28, 2016 News by Joana Fernandes, PhD Relapses in MS Patients Using Gilenya May Be Result of Changes Within T-Cells, Study Reports Changes in the composition of certain immune system cells may be associated with relapses in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients being treated with Gilenya (fingolimod), according toĀ a study published in the journal Scientific Reports. The study, āAltered T Cell Phenotypes Associated With Clinical Relapse Of Multiple Sclerosis Patients Receiving…
October 21, 2016 News by Joana Fernandes, PhD Umbilical Cord Stem Cells Work to Restore Immune System Balance in Early Study DamagingĀ immune system defects seenĀ in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) can be repaired using a simple stem cell approach, according to a new study by researchers in China and the U.S. The study, āUmbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Reversed The Suppressive Deficiency Of T Regulatory Cells From Peripheral Blood Of…
October 12, 2016 News by Alexandra Andersson, PhD Potential Therapy, Laquinimod, Shows Promise as Progressive MS Treatment in Mouse Study The experimental therapyĀ laquinimodĀ was seen to prevent the start of harmful immune responses and to disrupt the progression of multiple sclerosis (MS) in a mouse model of the disease. This finding may be especially promising, as the treatment is being developed for people with both relapsing MS and its rarer progressive…
September 27, 2016 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Future MS Treatment: Selectively Targeting T-cells May Come As Temporary Tattoo Antioxidant-filled nanoparticles injected under the skin may become a future multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment that comes with a perk or a drawback, depending on how a patient sees it. Ā The injection leaves a temporary dark spot on the skin, resembling a tattoo. The tattoo might be a small issue considering…
September 27, 2016 News by Patricia Silva, PhD How Tecfidera Works to Reduce MS Relapses Finally Discovered, May Lead to Better Treatments How the multiple sclerosis (MS) therapyĀ Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate) works on a molecular levelĀ hasĀ finally beenĀ uncovered,Ā using a new method that can map a drugās protein targets. The insights gainedĀ may open up new avenues for the development of more specific drugs, based on the same mechanisms, but with fewer side effects. The study,…
September 14, 2016 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD #ECTRIMS2016 – Benefits of Gilenya in MS Also Appear Linked to Its Effects on B-Cells Scientists recently reported additional mechanisms of action that may underlieĀ Gilenya (fingolimod) beneficial effects in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). The results were in an oral presentation, āFingolimod therapy modulates B cell functions: reduces CXCR4-mediated migration and increases B cell -mediated anti-inflammatory cytokine profile,ā given atĀ theĀ 32nd Congress of theĀ European Committee for Treatment…
May 24, 2016 News by Patricia Silva, PhD JC Virus Carries a Mutation in MS Patients That Amplifies Brain Disease Known as PML A mutation in aĀ mouse modelĀ of the John Cunningham (JC) virus, which causes progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), allows the virus to evade the host immune responses in people with multiple sclerosis (MS),Ā according to a study into the mechanisms of PML. Infection with the JC virus most often passes unnoticed in healthy…
May 3, 2016 News by Margarida Azevedo, MSc Opexa’s CEO Gives Update on T-Cell Therapy at Vatican Conference Opexa Therapeutics, Inc., announced that itsĀ president and chief executive officer, Neil K. Warma, recently gave a presentation on immunotherapy and itsĀ potential forĀ treating autoimmune disorders, includingĀ multiple sclerosis, at the recentĀ Cellular Horizons:Ā The Third International Conference on the Progress of Regenerative Medicine and its Cultural ImpactĀ held at the Vatican. Neil…