July 31, 2015
Balance problems frequently experienced by multiple
sclerosis (MS) patients may stem from what researchers are terming a “faulty
brake,” according to findings published in the journal Immunity.
Researchers from the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital observed a
mutation in the gene Nlrp12 in mice models in order to determine what effects
the mutation was having on immune cells (T cells). The T cells have what the
researchers called a “faulty brake,” where the inflammation should be
controlled. By identifying the root of the issue, the researchers believe they
have found a potential target for new MS therapies, which can lead to more
treatments for other immune diseases like colitis and atopic dermatitis.
sclerosis (MS) patients may stem from what researchers are terming a “faulty
brake,” according to findings published in the journal Immunity.
Researchers from the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital observed a
mutation in the gene Nlrp12 in mice models in order to determine what effects
the mutation was having on immune cells (T cells). The T cells have what the
researchers called a “faulty brake,” where the inflammation should be
controlled. By identifying the root of the issue, the researchers believe they
have found a potential target for new MS therapies, which can lead to more
treatments for other immune diseases like colitis and atopic dermatitis.
The researchers found that the Nlrp12 gene was causing
the T cells to malfunction in the mice models. Typically, the protein is
supposed to inhibit T cells to control the inflammatory response; however, the
opposite effect was taking place, resulting in severe inflammation. This
surprised the researchers the most. The inflammation caused by the faulty T
cells did not cause paralysis, a trademark of MS, but instead, produced balance
control problems. This finding is important, the researchers said,
because investigators in the past have struggled to reproduce these effects in
laboratory settings. They believe their efforts can lead the way to better
understanding MS and other autoimmune diseases, and maybe even cure them.
the T cells to malfunction in the mice models. Typically, the protein is
supposed to inhibit T cells to control the inflammatory response; however, the
opposite effect was taking place, resulting in severe inflammation. This
surprised the researchers the most. The inflammation caused by the faulty T
cells did not cause paralysis, a trademark of MS, but instead, produced balance
control problems. This finding is important, the researchers said,
because investigators in the past have struggled to reproduce these effects in
laboratory settings. They believe their efforts can lead the way to better
understanding MS and other autoimmune diseases, and maybe even cure them.
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