Cause of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) nerve damage found
18 October 2006
by Carina Lee
Immune system B-cells damage axons during MS attacks by inhibiting energy production in these nerve fiber cells, according to researchers at the University of California Irvine’s School of Medicine. From their studies, Dr. Yufen Qin and fellow researchers showed that after careful analysis of fluid and tissue samples in patients of MS, the increased levels of B-cell antibodies were binding two main enzymes. These enzymes, GAPDH and TPI, are utilised in a very important step in the biochemical pathway of energy production. This is linked to damaged axons because of the enzymes’ ability to bind to the B-cell antibodies. This binding, particularly the nature of GAPDH, causes a decrease of ATP (energy) production, hence decreases and wears out the metabolic activity of the neuron, leading to its degeneration. Qin, a professor in neurology at the university, explains “This research is exciting and potentially important for future treatments because it identifies new antibodies associated with MS that can be targeted with emerging therapies. Since this area of research is in its early stage, it’s important to understand the process by which these B-cell responses happen. Hopefully, by identifying these two crucial enzymes, it will lead to a greater understanding of MS and lead to more effective treatments for people who live with this disease.” |
The production of the above molecule, ATP, is inhibited in the nerves of MS suffers.
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