Harnessing Endogenous Repair in Multiple Sclerosis
Abstract
In Multiple Sclerosis (MS), new brain lesions appear because of inflammation and loss of myelin (the structure covering nerves, allowing them to work properly). Treatments used for MS stop inflammation, but cannot repair the damage already done. Repairing myelin might be an effective treatment in progressive MS, but there are no medications available that do this. Our own bodies have ways of repairing myelin. However, these are not working properly in MS. We want to study a new way to improve myelin repair (remyelination). Remote ischemic preconditioning (or REIP) is not a medication. It consists of blocking the blood flow of a limb (an arm or leg) for short periods of time (using a blood pressure cuff). These short periods of time without blood flow are not harmful, but they do trick the body into thinking that harm may be coming. The body then produces substances that could be helpful in the case of real harm. These substances can travel all the way to the brain and could help with remyelination by changing how brain cells work. REIP can be applied in mice by inflating blood pressure cuffs in the hind limbs. We have performed REIP in mice and have results that are promising, but we need additional information. We want to treat mice with REIP after we cause demyelination in their central nervous system by injecting a chemical. This is done under anesthesia. The area of demyelination caused by this injection goes on to remyelinate in predictable ways. We will test if REIP can accelerate remyelination and change how nerve cells work. We will also test if REIP can improve remyelination when there is inflammation, using another mouse model of MS. We will study in detail the changes associated with REIP in brain cells responsible for remyelination and repair. REIP can protect the central nervous system of mice against stroke and trauma. Although REIP has been tested in people with stroke before, to our knowledge no one has looked at people with MS or in models of remyelination. This is a novel and exciting way to study remyelination that does not involve drugs or medications. There is an unmet need for strategies that can improve remyelination. This study could provide the foundation for a new way to do this, using REIP. Our results could pave the way for more studies aimed at better understanding REIPs effects in the brain. Since REIP is safe and easy to do, even in humans, this study could encourage the development of studies to determine if REIP could be helpful for patients with all types of MS in the short term. Emphasis would be placed on progressive forms of the disease, where there are few treatment options focused on repair/recovery of function.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 04, 2024
- Source ID
- HT94252310812
Entities
People
- Carlos Camara-lemarroy
Organizations
- United States Army
- University of Calgary