Myelin formation, limb function restored in MS mouse models

In this study researchers have found that they can restore myelin formation and limb function in mice with MS with the microRNA miR-219.  Multiple sclerosis is a disease that attacks the central nervous system.  This disease destroys the myelin sheath and also oligodendrocytes.  Patients with MS lack miR-219.  Researchers deleted miR-219 in mouse models and found that several proteins that prevent myelin formation were present with the absence of the microRNA.  Then they administered a synthetic version of miR-219 to the MS mice and found that myelin-producing cells were reactivated.  This led to reformation of mylelin and improved limb function.

This could lead to a huge breakthrough in the treatment of MS for humans.  MS is a horrible illness and millions of people in the world are affected by it.  This disease could potentially be eliminated from the gene pool with more advances in medicine.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/316599.php
http://www.cell.com/developmental-cell/fulltext/S1534-5807(17)30122-3

ALS and Oligodendrocytes Cells

     Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as “Lou Gehrig’s disease” affects neurons in the brain and spinal cord. It particularly affects the motor neurons causing muscle weakness and eventually muscle decay. There are two types of ALS, sporadic and familial. Sporadic accounts for the majority of the cases of these disease in the U.S. and it is not inherited. Familial, on the other hand, is inherited. This type only accounts for 5-10% of the cases in the U.S. A team of researchers directed by Dr. Laura Ferraiuol from the University of Sheffield discovered that oligodendrocyte brain cells play a significant role in the progression of ALS. These oligodendrocyte cells are glial cells that surround the neuron and produce myelin which wraps around the neuron cell and helps the signals run faster.

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/1e/1a/5f/1e1a5fb2b175de0eccde350f5d207bc9.jpg

     Dr. Ferraiuol and her team discovered that these oligodendrocyte cells can be destructive and cause cell death when taken in-vitro from ALS patients. Her team also found out that by decreasing the SOD-1 gene one can rescue the oligodendrocyte cells that cause damage to the surrounding cells. This is an important discovery because we are slowly starting to learn about the pathways involved when it comes to diseases like ALS. Dr Laura Ferraiuol proclaims, "The ability to model the communication between the cells dying during the disease, the motor neurons, and their surrounding neighboring cells is crucial for the development and timing of the therapies. With this rapid reprogramming protocol, we are a step closer to personalized medicine.". ALS and other genetics diseases like it can be further understood by examining the pathways used to exhibited or express the disease.

Nichols, H. (2016, September 28). "ALS: Breakthrough discovery of destructive brain cells." Medical News Today. Retrieved from
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/313157.php.

Nerve support cell. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of an oligodendrocyte cell. This cell forms the myelin sheaths around nerve fibres in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). The myelin provides nutrients structural. (n.d.). Retrieved November 23, 2016, from http://www.visualphotos.com/image/2x4141041/nerve-support-cell-coloured-scanning-electron-micrograph-sem-of-an-oligodendrocyte-cell-this-cell-forms-the-myelin-sheaths-around-nerve-fibres-in-the-central-nervous-system-brain-and-spinal-cord-the-myelin-provides-nutrients-structural

Turning Skin Cells into Functioning Brain Cells

The following is an amazing discovery described in the ScienceDaily. Researchers at the Case Western Reserve School of Medicine have actually found a way to turn skin cells into functioning brain cells. This is help many patients whose brain cells get destroyed with conditions such as multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and other myelin disorders. The technique involves coverting fibroblasts, which are present in most organs and skin, into oligodendrocytes, which are responsible for myelinating the neurons of the brain by manipulating proteins. They call is cellular reprogramming. The initial study used mouse cells, and their next step is to see how safe it is for humans. This finding a real breakthrough and can be used to treat a variety of genetic myelin disorders. There is not much other information on the study because it has only been done on mice. They get closer and close to making it safe for humans everyday.

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I think this is an astounding discovery that deserves great merit. It would help so many patients if and when it is available as a plausible treatment for myelin degeneration. When further studies are done in the field I would love to read about it, and I hope for the best.