The Tisch MS Research Center presented several posters today at the annual AAN meeting in Philadelphia. These include:

Inhibition of Hyaluronan Synthesis Protects Against EAE by Inducing CXCL12 in the CNS

Andre M. Mueller, Bo Hyung Yoon, Saud A. Sadiq

Summary: Inhibition of a molecule called hyaluronan synthesis is protective in a mouse model of MS by interfering with T-cells and reducing the movement of immune cells into the brain. 

Development of Inflammatory Demyelinating Lesions In Mouse CNS After Injection Of Cerebrospinal Fluid Derived From Progressive MS Patients

Massimiliano Cristofanilli, Daniel Gratch, Benjamin Pagano, Saud Sadiq

Summary: The factors responsible for the loss of myelin and neurodegeneration, characteristic of progressive forms of MS, are present in patients' cerebrospinal fluid and are capable of inducing MS-like pathology in mice. These findings present an opportunity to explore and establish a new mouse model specifically for progressive MS. 

Adult Neural Progenitor Cells Derived From MS Patients Differentiate Into MBP Expressing Cells In The Shiverer Mouse

Massimiliano Cristofanilli, Benjamin Pagano, Daniel Gratch, Violaine Harris, Tamara Vyshkina, Saud Sadiq

Summary: Neural progenitor cells derived from MS patients (MSC-NPs) differentiate into myelin forming cells after injection into the brains of newborn and adult mice genetically engineered to lack myelin. The findings suggest that in the proper CNS milieu, MSC-NPs may promote remyelination and neural repair.