Research Reveals Exactly How Rogue Immune Cells Cause Multiple Sclerosis
This information could help create future treatment
In the mouse version of MS, the researchers found a lack of caveolae and hardly any Th1 cells in the brain and spinal cord. They concluded that caveolae on the endothelial cells, which make up the blood vessels, are needed in order to transport Th1 cells into the blood-brain barrier. “This is the first time we have ever seen, in live animals in real-time, the different means by which these two cell types gain access to myelin and nerves. Now that we know how these cells get to neurons, drugs or small molecules can be designed that interfere with or block each of these processes to help treat and possibly prevent multiple sclerosis,” said Lutz.
