summary: Loss of oligodendrocytes (ODC), the cells providing the central nervous system with myelin, through a process of "programmed cell death" (i.e. apoptosis), is one of the most important pathological features of MS. However, the cause of this deleterious process is not yet known. The findings of this study suggest that the activation of a specific protein may be crucial for the appearance of apoptosis. Moreover, by inhibiting this very protein, the authors found that loss of both ODC and myelin decreased. The results of this study are encouraging, since inhibiting this crucial protein might represent a new and attractive therapeutic approach for MS.

authors: Veto S, Acs P, Bauer J, Lassmann H, Berente Z, Setalo G Jr, Borgulya G, Sumegi B, Komoly S, Gallyas F Jr, Illes Z

source: Brain. 2010 Feb 15

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