Understanding the role of microglia to neurotoxicity in MS

Start Term
End Term
Funding Amount
$300,000
Affiliation(s)
University of Alberta
Geographic Region(s) / Province(s)
Alberta
Researcher(s)
Dr. Jason Plemel
Research Priorities
Progressive MS
Impact Goal(s)
Advance Treatment and Care

Summary:

  • In MS, microglia, a type of immune cell found in the brain, has been associated with both repair and injury to myelin, the protective covering of nerve fibers. 
  • Dr. Jason Plemel and team aim to study the role of microglia in causing injury to myelin in a mouse model of MS.
  • Knowledge generated from this research has the potential to lead to the development of neuroprotective therapies that can prevent injury and promote repair in MS. 

Project Description: 

In MS, the protective covering of nerve fibers in the brain called myelin becomes damaged, disrupting signals to and from the brain. New strategies are needed to protect nerve fibres against this damage . 

Dr. Jason Plemel and team are focused on understanding how microglia, a type of immune cell found in the brain, are involved in regulating myelin. The role of microglia in MS is not well understood and under specific situations they can be protective and in other situations, they can be toxic. 

To study the function of microglia and its role in MS, the researchers will use a mouse model of MS that can induce demyelination by feeding the mice cuprizone in their diet. The researchers will use this model to understand the timing and contribution of microglia in demyelination. The researchers will also examine whether a particular immune molecule, called Cxcl10, causes microglia to become more destructive in MS. 

Potential Impact: The findings of this study will provide further understanding of the role of microglia in MS pathology and may potentially lead to the development of new strategies to treat MS. 

Project Status: In Progress