National MS Society-Supported Researchers Use Novel Technology To Identify FDA-Approved Compounds that May Stimulate Myelin Repair in MS

A team at the University of California at San Francisco led by Jonah Chan, PhD,  has identified a group of compounds approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for various disorders that might also stimulate myelin repair. They report the findings in Nature Medicine (Published online July 6, 2014). This study was mainly funded by friends of the MS Research Group at UCSF, with additional support from the National MS Society Harry Weaver Neuroscience Scholar Award to Dr. Chan and the UCSF Clinical & Translational Science Institute Catalyst Award for Innovation.

Background: In MS, the immune system attacks and destroys myelin, the fatty substance that surrounds and protects the nerve fibers, and the nerve fibers can also be damaged. Current therapies are largely aimed at dampening the immune system. However, a therapy that repairs damage to myelin and nerve fibers is also necessary.

Decades of research into nerve physiology, MS tissue damage and the biology of glial cells – the numerous brain cells that support nerve cells – have laid the groundwork for finding ways to repair damage and restore normal function in individuals with MS. Achieving this goal is a priority of research supported by the National MS Society.

One challenge in developing repair strategies has been identifying possible therapeutic targets. The fact that compounds need to be observed for their ability to form myelin around nerve fibers has limited the speed at which  the impact of compounds could be screened. This study reports on a novel technology developed by Dr. Jonah Chan that could revolutionize the development of myelin repair strategies. In September 2013, Dr. Chan was the first recipient of the Barancik Prize for Innovation in MS Research, a new international prize launched to recognize innovation and progress in MS research, for his pioneering work in applying this technology to the search for ways to stimulate brain repair in people who have MS. Read more

The Study: Dr. Chan’s team invented new nanofiber and micropillar technology to rapidly identify compounds that stimulate the regrowth of myelin. The “Binary Indicant for Myelination on Micropillar Arrays” (BIMA) uses arrays of tiny fabricated “micropillars” that simulate nerve fibers. Myelin-making cells called oligodendrocytes form myelin around each micropillar, looking somewhat like the rings of a tree, enabling an automated readout to permit the team to study functional myelination.

The team initiated a screen using this technology, testing 1000 molecules for their ability to promote oligodendrocyte development and wrapping of myelin around the micropillars.  

Continue to read this article by clicking here, which will redirect you to the source of this informative article