Cell growth key to MS battle - researcher

[Guest guest]

Cell growth key to MS battle - researcher40 people attend ms society seminar herehttp://www.recorder.ca/June 28, 2004 GordanierThe Brockville Recorder & TimesStimulating cells to grow, or even transplanting them, will be key tobattling multiple sclerosis in the future, a leading researcher intothe disease said here Saturday.Neuropathologist Dr. Ludwin, a researcher at Kingston's Queen'sUniversity, told the Leeds-Grenville chapter of the MS Society ofCanada that treatment has long centred on ways to replenish myelin -the natural insulation covering neuron strands called 'axons' thattransmit brain signals throughout the body - without necessarilyrepairing axons themselves. Multiple sclerosis develops when myelindecays in the brain and spinal cord.But recent research has keyed on anti-inflammatory and cell growthdrug therapy that can ease pressure on damaged axons while futuretreatments may include actually transplanting remyelinated cells in MSvictims, Ludwin said."Myelin can regenerate and axons can't and that's one of the criticalthings," Ludwin said during the hour-long MS educational seminar heldat Brockville's Highway Pentecostal Church.Cells called oligodendrocytes manufacturer myelin in the body andLudwin said "given half a chance the body will do a pretty good job"replenishing damaged myelin.But when axons die to be replaced by scar tissue, he warned, "it'smuch more dangerous, much more of a problem" because the neuron cellscommand the oligodendrocytes to produce myelin."Axons tells oligodendrocytes through signalling 'Make myelin aroundme' and once an axon goes, there's no reason for the myelin-formingcell to exist."MS may be considered an auto-immune disease because natural antibodies- the cells and chemicals such as B Lymphocytes and plasma cells thatattack viruses mistakenly attack the protein structures of the body,in this case myelin."The theory is if we get an infection our immune system mounts adefence.But protein structures are not much different and there's across-immunity that attacks our own system.It may be what's happening with MS - in trying to fight infection itdevelops a slightly skewed immune system that can't distinguish thesystems. You have T-cells attacking the myelin sheath, resulting indemyelination."Research indicates higher incidents of MS in wealthy, westerncountries that immunize their populations against most diseases.Immunizations are supposed to force the body to acquire immunity tothe infectious disease introduced, but sometimes an auto-immuneresponse develops and the body fails to differentiate between its owncells and invaders.In countries without widespread immunization programs, people eitherdie from infectious diseases or develop a strong natural immunity tothem."One of the theories is that we continue to sterilize everything inthese developed countries and we're fooling our own immune systems,"Ludwin said."There's a much greater population (here) with an immune system that'sout of whack."Ludwin also finds interesting research that proves lower rates of MSin sunnier climes, indicating the natural Vitamin D in sunshine maybuffer against the disease.He cited a study from Australia that showed rates of MS steadilydecreasing on the way from rainy Tasmania in the south, to the hot andsunny north of the continent, nearer to the equator.Genetics may also be at work. Ludwin said siblings of an MS victim runa 20 per cent risk of acquiring the disease themselves.An identical twin will develop MS 50 per cent of the time when thesibling has it.The Stanford University-trained Ludwin is president of theInternational Society of Neuropathologists and past chair of themedical advisory Board of MS Canada. He is professor of pathology andan associate dean of health science research at Queen's.Saturday's seminar attracted about 40 people. on of Brockville said she attended to learn more aboutcurrent research that may one day help her mother, who suffers fromtransverse myelitis, which has symptoms similar to MS."My mother has something similar to MS and it has to do with what he'sdoing research on," on said."I just wanted to be in the know because knowledge is power."To me, all the more research I can know about the more I can help."Copyright © 2004, Sun Media CorporationLink for chat: MSViews_Multiple_Sclerosis/chatPhotos:http://photos./group/MSViews_Multiple_Sclerosis/lstGroup Home: MSViews_Multiple_SclerosisMyMSViews Home: http://www.mymsviews.org Home: MSViews_Multiple_SclerosisMyMSViews Home: http://www.mymsviews.org