Cellular remyelinating therapy in multiple sclerosis.

Publication/Presentation Date

1-15-2009

Abstract

Demyelination is a pathological hallmark of multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects mainly young people in western countries. Recent studies have shown that remyelination can be accomplished by supplying demyelinated regions with myelinogenic cells or neural stem cells via transplantation. The remyelinating effect of these cells may be via one or more mechanisms, including: 1) as an immunomodulator by producing soluble factors; 2) direct cell replacement by differentiating into neural and glial cells in the lesion; and 3) indirect action by promoting neural and glial differentiation of endogenous cells. Identifying these mechanisms will help in choosing an optimal and more effective approach for cell-based therapy. Here we present a brief view focusing on myelin-forming cell types that can be used for cell transplantation and draw on a variety of recent experimental findings to speculate on the likely future evolution of remyelinating therapies.

Volume

276

Issue

1-2

First Page

1

Last Page

5

ISSN

0022-510X

Disciplines

Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Health and Medical Administration | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods

PubMedID

18814888

Department(s)

Administration and Leadership

Document Type

Article

Share

COinS