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Immune Molecule Decreases Severity Of Multiple Sclerosis-like Disease In Mice

Date:
January 4, 2009
Source:
American Journal of Pathology
Summary:
Scientists have explored the expression of an immune molecule (CXCL1) that interacts with myelin-producing cells, finding that CXCL1 decreases the severity of disease in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis (MS).
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A group led by Dr. Cedric Raine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have explored the expression of an immune molecule (CXCL1) that interacts with myelin-producing cells, finding that CXCL1 decreases the severity of disease in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis (MS).

The autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis (MS) attacks the central nervous system, resulting in demyelination of neurons. Myelin-producing cells in the central nervous system are severely depleted in lesions in patients with MS.

Myelin-producing cells express immune receptors and have been shown to respond to the immune molecule CXCL1, although the role of CXCL1 in MS has not been previously explored. Dr. Raine and colleagues examined the effects of CXCL1 specifically expressed in the nervous system in a mouse model of MS. They observed decreased severity of disease and more prominent remyelination in these mice. CXCL1, therefore, may play a neuroprotective role in CNS autoimmune demyelination.

In future studies, Dr. Raine's group plans to determine how CXCL1 mediates protection in MS. "Exploration of these pathways affords novel therapeutic avenues to enhance the limited remyelination typically seen in MS."


Story Source:

Materials provided by American Journal of Pathology. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Omari KM, Lutz SE, Santambrogio L, Lira SA, Raine CS. Neuroprotection and remyelination after autoimmune demyelination in mice that inducibly overexpress CXCL1. Am J Pathol, 2009, 174:164-176

Cite This Page:

American Journal of Pathology. "Immune Molecule Decreases Severity Of Multiple Sclerosis-like Disease In Mice." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 4 January 2009. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081230074742.htm>.
American Journal of Pathology. (2009, January 4). Immune Molecule Decreases Severity Of Multiple Sclerosis-like Disease In Mice. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 29, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081230074742.htm
American Journal of Pathology. "Immune Molecule Decreases Severity Of Multiple Sclerosis-like Disease In Mice." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081230074742.htm (accessed March 29, 2024).

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