Targeting apoptosis to treat multiple sclerosis.
Accumulating evidence implicates a failure of myelin-reactive immune cells to undergo apoptosis in the pathological events contributing to multiple sclerosis (MS). We have recently demonstrated that members of the inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) family of anti-apoptotic genes are elevated in peripheral blood immune cells (monocytes, T cells) of patients with aggressive forms of MS (secondary progressive) or those with relapsing-remitting MS suffering a disease replase. These findings suggest that the IAPs may be novel diagnostic markers for distinguishing subtypes of MS. Moreover, antisense-mediated knockdown of the IAP family member known as X-linked IAP (XIAP) reverses paralysis in an animal model of MS suggesting that treatments targeting XIAP, and perhaps other IAPs, may have utility in the treatment of MS.
Hebb
Andrea L O
AL
Department of Pharmacology, Dalhousie University, 5850 College Street, Halifax, NS B3H 1X5, Canada.
Moore
Craig S
CS
Bhan
Virender
V
Robertson
George S
GS
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D051034:Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology
D051034:Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins