Targeting Harmful Antibody-Secreting Cells in MS
Funding Amount
$300,000
Affiliation(s)
Laval University
Geographic Region(s) / Province(s)
Quebec
Researcher(s)
Research Priorities
Life-modifying therapies
Impact Goal(s)
Advance Treatment and Care
Summary:
In autoimmune diseases like MS, autoantibodies can mistakenly attack and damage a person’s own nervous system.
Dr. Luc Vallieres and team aim to develop a drug to target and remove the cells that produce these harmful autoantibodies – known as antibody-secreting cells or ASCs.
This research could lead to new ways to treat MS and related immune disorders more effectively.
Project Description:
In MS and related autoimmune diseases such as MOGAD and NMOSD, the immune system produces proteins called ‘autoantibodies’ which can mistakenly attack and destroy one’s own nervous tissue. Currently, there is no drug that can specifically and permanently eliminate autoantibodies.
Dr. Luc Vallieres and team aim to develop an improved antibody-based drug that can target cells responsible for producing autoantibodies – known as antibody-secreting cells or ASCs. In their previous work, the researchers discovered that current antibody therapies are not able to completely deplete ASCs because the cells would “coat” themselves with a molecule called PRG2. In this study, they plan to design a drug that will use PRG2 as a novel marker to identify and target harmful ASCs. Removing ASCs could help reduce disease relapses, protect the nervous system, and improve long-term recovery.
Potential Impact: This research has the potential to support the development of new treatment approaches for MS and related immune disorders.
Project Status: In Progress