Project R-2146

Protective effects of neuropoietic cytokines on pathological CNS responses in multiple sclerosis (Research)

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) with inflammatory and neurodegenerative components. It is common knowledge that the chronic production of proinflammatory cytokines and neurotoxic factors are the main cause of the typical MS brain pathology. However, there is also a production of factors that counteract inflammation and promote repair during neuroimmunological responses. We hypothise that members of the IL-6 cytokine family have such a role and are therefore interesting targets for MS therapy. In this project it will be determined in which way leukemia inhibitory factor, Oncostatin M and interleukin-11 regulate the development of new Ms-lesions on one hand and affect exisiting pathology on the other hand. Therefore, these factors will be applied through gene therapy in animal models of MS. Moreover, the cellular and molecular mechanisms behind the potential beneficial effects will be further unraveled. In this project we collaborate with Prof Baekelandt (KULeuven), who is an expert in gene therapeutic application in CNS disease.

01 January 2010 - 31 December 2013