Project R-5084

Oncostatin M as a Master Regulator of MS Lesion Repair (Research)

Multiple sclerosis lesions are characterized by a loss of oligodendrocytes and neurodegeneration. Interestingly, multipotent neural progenitor cells (NPCs) persist in the adult brain that have the capacity to generate new neurons and oligodendrocytes, but their contribution to repair of MS lesions is limited. We hypothesize that the neuropoietic oncostatin M (OSM) can stimulate regeneration in MS lesions. This project will elucidate the pathways activated by OSM in the CNS, reveal whether OSM can rescue self-renewal of NPCs during inflammatory conditions, whether it can promote differentiation of NPCs into neurons and oligodendrocytes and whether OSM promotes regeneration in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis. Thus, this project bridges the gap between the immunological experiments currently performed at Hasselt University and the study of regeneration of inflammatory CNS lesions. This enables us to fully evaluate the therapeutic potential of OSM in existing CNS pathology, a prerequisite to enable translation to the clinic.

01 January 2014 - 31 December 2016