Current projetcs in multiple sclerosis

Gene expression in multiple sclerosis

A .T Arthur, P.J.Armati, J.D. Pollard

Dr Arthur continued her research into gene expression in multiple sclerosis throughout 2007 due to the very generous support of Mr Stephen Ainsworth and the Nerve Research Foundation. The Ainsworth MS research project has involved the investigation of gene expression in the peripheral blood of relapsing remitting (RR) MS patients, with a focus on mild MS disease, compared to healthy controls. This research has generated a comprehensive profile of gene expression in RRMS during relapse, remission and in patients with very mild disease. A journal article reporting some of this work will be published in BMC Medical Genetics in 2008. Furthermore, in collaboration with an MS research group at Harvard, some of this data has also been submitted to the journal Nature Medicine for publication. Dr Arthur has also been working with Dr Simon Hawke at the Brain and Mind Research Institute to examine gene expression in blood vessels obtained from MS brain tissue, which has complemented her work in MS peripheral blood. Preliminary results were presented as a poster at the Multiple Sclerosis Research Australia conference in Melbourne, November.

Supported by the Nerve Research Foundation and the Ainsworth Multiple Sclerosis Project

The immunopathology of multiple sclerosis

J.W. Prineas, J.D.E. Parratt, M.H. Barnett, A Henderson

Work completed during 2007 were studies of immune complexes in newly forming MS lesions ( MH Barnett and JW Prineas “ Distribution of immunoglobulins and complement in MS lesions” Submitted Annals of Neurology ) and a major study, with A Henderson, MH Barnett, JE Parratt and JW Prineas, of the role of T and B lymphocytes in myelin destruction in MS. Part of the latter study, now in preparation for submission to Annals of Neurology, was presented at a recent meeting at The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne. The findings add to previous reports from this laboratory that the experimental model used in MS research, namely experimental allergic encephalomyelitis, does not closely model the human disease and that a new paradigm is required.

Funding: Multiple Sclerosis Research Australia to procure and set up a state of the art multiple photon immunofluorescence facility which will be key to work proposed for 2008; Biogen IDEC and the Nerve Research Foundation