Harnessing the power of factors - heparan sulfate and heparanase - to boost regulatory T cells in MS

Start Term
End Term
Funding Amount
$294,909
Affiliation(s)
University of Calgary
Geographic Region(s) / Province(s)
Alberta
Researcher(s)
Dr. Hedwich Kuipers
Research Priorities
Cause of MS
Impact Goal(s)
Understand and Halt Disease Progression

Summary:

  • T regulatory cells are a subset of immune cells that help prevent the immune system from recognizing and attacking its own body, also known as autoimmunity. In MS, T regulatory cells malfunction and are unable to maintain this function. 
  • Dr. Hedwich Kuipers and team aim to determine factors that influence the function of T regulatory cells in MS. The researchers will use a mouse model of MS to determine how these factors - heparan sulfate and heparanase - support the function of T regulatory cells and test ways to activate T regulatory cells by supplementing them with heparanase.  
  • This research has the potential to guide the development of new treatments that can reduce inflammation and degeneration in MS. 

Project Description:

A specific population of immune cells called T regulatory cells are involved in preventing autoimmunity, which is when the immune system inappropriately recognizes and attacks the body’s own cells. In MS, these cells are unable to maintain this function resulting in damage to myelin, the protective coating of nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord. 

Dr. Hedwich Kuipers and team aim to identify factors that can affect the function of T regulatory cells in MS. T regulatory cells require a specific protein called IL-2 for survival and function. It is unclear how T regulatory cells access IL-2. IL-2 can attach to heparin sulfate, which is found in the area between cells. Previously, this group found that T regulatory cells produce a factor called heparanase that can cleave heparin sulfate. They hypothesize that this is how T regulatory cells access IL-2. In this study, the researchers will:

  1. Determine how the interaction of IL-2 with heparin sulfate influences T regulatory cell function. 
  2. Determine how heparanase helps support the function of T regulatory cells in a mouse model of MS. 
  3. Explore the potential of ‘super-boosting’ T regulatory cells in the mouse model of MS by giving them more heparanase to understand the effect on autoimmunity and neuroinflammation.

Potential Impact: The findings of this study have the potential to identify new therapeutic strategies to suppress autoimmunity in MS. 

Project Status: In Progress