New discovery could aid remyelination in Multiple Sclerosis

MSUK · Post by **MSUK** » Mon Jun 27, 2011 2:04 am

Researchers believe they may have found a "missing link" in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Scientists said they have discovered a new molecule, XAV939, that could lead to a drug treatment to repair the damage caused by the disease.

The molecule is able to stimulate stem cells to repair myelin, the fatty material that coats and insulates nerves.

Damage to myelin can cause the symptoms of MS but there are currently no treatments to repair it....Read More - http://www.msrc.co.uk/index.cfm/fuseact ... ageid/1845

cheerleader · Post by **cheerleader** » Mon Jun 27, 2011 4:16 pm

We found that AXIN2 was expressed in immature oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OLPs) in white matter lesions of human newborns with neonatal hypoxic-ischemic and gliotic brain damage, as well as in active multiple sclerosis lesions in adults. Axin2 is a target of Wnt transcriptional activation that negatively feeds back on the pathway, promoting β-catenin degradation. We found that Axin2 function was essential for normal kinetics of remyelination.

Interesting connection to hypoxic injury.
cheer