Fluorescent proteins light up the where and when of autoimmune disease (MS)

*above photograph: (at top) A T lymphocyte is activated after contact with a phagocytic cell. Each picture shows a different time-point in a video recording of the interaction between the two cells. (bottom) An autoreactive T lymphocyte, here in contact with a microglia cell, is activated deep within inflamed nervous tissue.

Department of Neuroimmunology and the Institute for Multiple Sclerosis Research (IMSF) scientists at the University Medical Center Göttingen found a way to make it possible to see exactly where self-destructive brain inflammation is produced.

This incredible technique can allow researchers to track formerly unexplained occurrences in those with multiple sclerosis (MS) and “observe autoimmunological processes in living tissue”; making it possible to see when and where T lymphocytes start to destroy the myelin sheath.

“I’ve spent a lot of time sharing information over the years about myelin repair, actually donated to the Myelin Repair Foundation,” said Abbie Kanter of Lima. “For me it felt like the damage to the myelin was pretty much the reason why we have the problems we do so…why not send my money there?”

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