Pathology & Animal Models

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) represent a promising therapeutic option in MS, as these have been shown to possess both immunomodulatory and neuroprotective properties. These cells can also be transdifferentiated in the direction of neuronal and glial precursor cells in culture. Since our primary focus is patient's with multiple sclerosis, we are exploring if these differentiatied versions of MSCs can assist in neuroregeneration and/or remyelination.

The secretome of the MSCs contain a large amount of small extracellular vesicles, named exosomes. These membrane-coated particles are 30-150 nm in diameter and transport different proteins, mRNAs and microRNAs, serving as signalin particles. We are exploring if the exosomes themselves can replicate the immunomodulatory and neuroprotective properties of the MSCs.

There are three main models used in animals to study mechanisms that are similar to those found in patients with multiple sclerosis:

1. The cuprizone model is used to study both de- and remyelination. The cuprizone compound causes apoptosis of oligodendrocytes with subsequent activation of microglia and astrocytes.
2. The experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model is an autoimmune model directed towards myelin proteins. The inflammation is dominated by T-lymphocytes that migrates and crosses the blood brain barrier.
3. The lysolecithin model induce demyelinating lesions in the spinal cord and corpus callosum, causing inflammation and phagocytosis of myelin.