Scientists found a protein
called Rab32 in the brains of people with MS British scientists have discovered
a potential cause for multiple sclerosis, in a major breakthrough that could
pave the way for new treatments for the disease.
Scientists have found a new
cellular mechanism which may cause the autoimmune disorder. Multiple sclerosis
affects around 2.5 million people around the world.
Typically, people are
diagnosed in their 20s and 30s, and it is more common in women than men.
Although the cause has so
far been a mystery, the disease causes the body's own immune system to attack
myelin - the fatty "sheaths" which protect nerves in the brain and
spinal cord.
This leads to brain damage,
a reduction in blood supply and oxygen and the formation of lesions in the
body.
Our exciting new findings
have uncovered a new avenue for researchers to explore. It is a critical step,
and in time, we hope it might lead to effective new treatments for MS
Professor Paul Eggleton
Symptoms can be
wide-ranging, and can include muscle spasms, mobility problems, pain, fatigue,
and problems with speech.
Scientists have long
suspected that mitochondria, the energy-creating "powerhouse" of the
cell, plays a link in causing multiple sclerosis.
Using human brain tissue
samples, researchers at the Universities of Exeter and Alberta found a protein
called Rab32 is present in large quantities in the brains of people with MS -
but is virtually absent in healthy brain cells.
Where Rab32 is present, the
team discovered that a part of the cell which stores calcium gets too close to
the mitochondria.
The resulting
miscommunication with the calcium supply triggers the mitochondria to
misbehave, ultimately causing toxicity for brain cells in people with MS.
Researchers do not yet know
what causes an unwelcome influx of Rab32 but they believe the defect could
originate at the base of the cell.
The finding will enable
scientists to search for effective treatments that target Rab32 and embark on
determining whether there are other proteins which could play a role in
triggering MS.
Professor Paul Eggleton, of
the University of Exeter Medical School, said: "Multiple sclerosis can
have a devastating impact on people's lives, affecting mobility, speech, mental
ability and more.
"So far, all medicine
can offer is treatment and therapy for the symptoms - as we do not yet know the
precise causes, research has been limited.
"Our exciting new
findings have uncovered a new avenue for researchers to explore. It is a
critical step, and in time, we hope it might lead to effective new treatments
for MS."
The research has been
published as part of MS Awareness Week. Dr David Schley, from the MS Society,
said: "No-one knows for sure why people develop MS and we welcome any
research that increases our understanding of how to stop it.
"There are currently
no treatments available for many of the more than 100,000 people in the UK who
live with this challenging and unpredictable condition.
"We want people with
MS to have a range of treatments to choose from, and be able to get the right
treatment at the right time."
Trish Deykin, who suffers
from MS, welcomed the research.
She said: "Finding a
cause will help everyone who has MS - even if that's just knowing more about
what's going on in their own brains."
The paper, Rab32 connects
ER stress to mitochondrial defects in multiple sclerosis, is published in the
journal Neuroinflammation.
Post a Comment