CRYAB and remyelination in MS

Start Term
End Term
Funding Amount
$297,089
Affiliation(s)
University of Calgary
Geographic Region(s) / Province(s)
Alberta
Researcher(s)
Dr. Shalina Ousman
Research Priorities
Repair/Remyelination
Impact Goal(s)
Understand and Halt Disease Progression

Generously funded by the Frederick and Isabella Troop Family Foundation.

Summary:

  • Oligodendrocytes are cells needed to produce myelin, a fatty substance that wraps around nerve fibres to protect them and support proper transmission of electrical signals from the brain to the rest of the body. In MS, myelin becomes damaged, leading to MS symptoms.
  • Dr. Shalina Ousman and team are investigating the factors that promote remyelination and the role of a factor called CRYAB in MS. CRYAB has already shown promising therapeutic potential in people with relapsing-remitting MS, however its function is unknown.
  • Knowledge generated from this research will support the development of new treatments that promote remyelination in MS.

Project Description:

In MS, the protective covering of nerve fibers, myelin, as well as cells that produce myelin called oligodendrocytes can become lost or damaged, resulting in disease worsening. Further research is needed to uncover therapeutic targets that protect or promote the formation of myelin (also called remyelination) in the central nervous system, which is key to slowing or halting MS disease progression.

Dr. Shalina Ousman and team are interested in identifying factors needed for proper functioning of oligodendrocytes. They identified a small protein, called CRYAB that is found in higher amounts in the brains of people with MS, however, its function is unknown. CRYAB has been shown to suppress inflammation in animal models of MS. Additionally, in a recent phase 2a clinical trial, CRYAB was found to be not only safe in people, but remarkably reduced the formation of active lesions in people with RRMS. This research aims to determine whether CRYAB which is found in oligodendrocytes is involved in remyelination to better understand its therapeutic effect.

Potential Impact: The findings of this study will further our understanding of factors needed for remyelination and support the development of new treatments that halt disease progression in MS.

Project Status: In Progress