Understanding why brain cells called astrocytes behave differently in MS
In MS, cells of the immune system cause damage in the brain. Some brain cells called astrocytes are able to stop damage going further, if they receive special messages from immune cells. But the researchers think astrocytes in the MS brain are overwhelmed with too many messages. So they're unable to work effectively.
About the project
This project will aim to better understand one particularly important message the astrocytes are receiving in progressive MS. The team want to find out if blocking this message can make the astrocytes behave normally. And, if it can stop further damage in the brain.
Using astrocytes in a dish, the team will look at what the cells do when they’re unable to receive this message. This will tell the team if this might be the reason astrocytes can’t do their job in MS. They’ll investigate further using mice with an MS-like condition. They’ll look to see if the cells react differently in the brain when the message isn’t received. And, if damage is reduced.
How will it help people with MS?
If the team show astrocytes can reduce damage, more research could be done to investigate how this could be used in treatments. While we couldn’t block the message for people with MS, astrocytes could be a new way to limit damage.
The team also think their findings could be a way to look at lesions in MS using MRI scans. The message they are studying is often found when there is damage still happening in the brain. So, if they can create a special probe, they could see if there’s still an immune attack happening. And doctors could advise the best drug choices.
