Potential of ZDHHC9 to Enhance Repair in MS

Start Term
End Term
Funding Amount
$50,000
Affiliation(s)
University of British Columbia
Geographic Region(s) / Province(s)
British Columbia
Research Priorities
Repair/Remyelination
Impact Goal(s)
Understand and Halt Disease Progression

Researcher(s):  Dr. Shernaz Xerxes Bamji  

Summary:

  • Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated disease that involves damage and loss of myelin, the protective coating of nerve fibres in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). 
  • Dr. Shernaz Bamji and team will examine a molecule called ZDHHC9 and its potential to improve repair of damaged myelin (remyelination) in mice with MS-like disease. ZDHHC9 is found at high levels in cells that make myelin (oligodendrocytes) and its absence affects proper myelin formation.
  • This research has the potential to identify new therapeutic targets that promote repair and remyelination in MS.

Project Description: 
In MS, the immune system inappropriately attacks and damages the protective covering of nerve fibres called myelin. Myelin is important for the proper functioning of the nervous system and damage to myelin can result in loss of nerve fibres and disability progression. There is a need for effective therapies that promote repair of damaged myelin (remyelination).

Dr. Shernaz Bamji and team aim to determine if a factor called ZDHHC9 can potentially improve remyelination in MS. They have previously shown that ZDHHC9 is found at high levels in cells that make myelin (oligodendrocytes). Without ZDHHC9, they find there are fewer myelin producing cells, fewer nerve fibres covered with myelin, and myelin is less-well formed. In this study, the researchers will confirm if increasing the presence of ZDHHC9 in mice with MS-like disease will promote remyelination of nerve fibres and identify the underlying mechanisms of ZDHHC9 function.

Potential Impact: The findings of this study will potentially lead to the identification of new targets for repair and remyelination in MS. 
Project Status: In Progress