10.09.2023
Invited by dr Adam Krzystyniak, Ola delivered a seminar talk titled “Targeting Central Nervous System Repair in Multiple Sclerosis” at the Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology in Warsaw.
Abstract of the talk: Multiple sclerosis is characterised by chronic inflammation, demyelination, and neuronal damage in the central nervous system. In response, remyelination— the process of rebuilding myelin sheaths around neuronal axons—has emerged as a promising therapeutic avenue. While present therapeutic approaches focus on immune regulation, the critical need to enhance repair capacity in multiple sclerosis remains unmet. The Epstein-Barr virus-induced gene 2 (EBI2, aka GPR183) is a key modulator of the innate and adaptive immune system and together with its endogenous ligand, oxysterol 7α,25OHC, has been implicated in a number of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, inflammatory bowel diseases and multiple sclerosis. Our research indicates that EBI2 accelerates myelin regeneration in vivo and has become a focal point for a potential therapeutic intervention aimed at enhancing remyelination in multiple sclerosis. Nonetheless, both pre-clinical and clinical investigations exploring remyelination interventions reveal a diverse spectrum of strategies and molecular targets. These provide valuable insights into the fundamental mechanisms regulating restoration of myelin. However, translating findings from pre-clinical studies into tangible clinical outcomes presents significant challenges. Is it feasible to successfully transition and advance the pursuit of myelin-restoring therapy for multiple sclerosis?