Research Team Identifies Mechanisms for the Restoration of Myelin Sheaths Following an Injury or Multiple Sclerosis
Cervical spine MRI with enhancement showing multiple sclerosis.
A team of researchers led by Professor Clair Jacob, a neurobiologist, has determined an essential mechanism that can be employed to regulate the myelin sheaths' restoration after a traumatic injury and in deteriorating illnesses.
With the insights they gathered, the study authors were able to renew impaired myelin sheaths in rodents by treating them through the use of "active substance theophylline, " thus renewing the function of their nerve cells.
As specified in the said research, neurons consist of axons, for example, "long fiber-like extensions," such as that transfer signals to the other cells.
A myelin sheath, the study also indicates, surrounds many of these cells. Specifically, a myelin sheath is a "thick fatty layer" that shields them and helps them quickly transmit stimuli.
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Multiple Sclerosis
Without myelin, the neurons' functional capacity, and the entire nervous system are restricted, and neurons can simply degenerate.
One of the illnesses linked to myelin sheath degradation is multiple sclerosis or MS. Patients with this condition experience consecutive demyelination episodes, leading to a developing function loss, specifically of their nervous system. According to the study, "remyelination of the axons can prevent" such an occurrence of MS.
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The Goal to Restore the Protective Myelin Coating of the Axons
The undamaged myelin sheaths are a requirement for the peripheral and central nervous systems to function healthily.
The study indicates that if the PNS or the peripheral nervous system is impaired, say, in an accident involving arm or leg injury, the axons, and their myelin sheaths can recover comparatively well.
According to Professor Jacob, "Regeneration of the PNS is quite efficient," even though it could still be improved. Jacob also pointed out that although young individuals are not experiencing full regeneration.
Nonetheless, the CNS or the central nervous system is entirely different in this aspect. There is no effective repair or renewal of the axons and, thus, of the myelin sheath following a lesion.
Meaning, CNS injuries, research indicates, typically lead to "permanent paralysis," like in multiple sclerosis cases when the absence of myelin results in "axon degeneration."
The Capacity to Remyelinate Reducing with Age
MS, researchers explained, is the most typical neurodegenerative illness of the CNS and is said to be attributable to the myelin sheath's degradation of neurons.
Furthermore, the occurrence of consecutive lesions can lead to the permanent absence of the CNS function if there is inefficiency in the restoration of the myelin sheath.
In connection to this, the body's capacity to remyelinate reduces intensely with age. To promote myelin's restoration, Jacob emphasized, there is a need "to understand the process" that regulates the mechanism.
In this recent study, Jacob's team examined how remyelination takes place in both the PNS and CNS of mice. "First," she elaborated, there is a need to understand the process that's blocking remyelination.
HDAC2 Activity Boosted
Professor Jacob said, once they understood the process, the team decided to try controlling it "by boosting the histone deacetylase 2 or HDAC2 activity," as well as its synthesis in cells.
Such a result was achieved through the use of the active substance theophylline, which is present as well in tea leaves and, for a long time now, has been used to treat asthma.
The use of theophylline in a mouse model for four consecutive days led to a substantial recovery. Myelin sheaths' restoration was specifically remarkable in the PNS, where they had a full recovery.
Meanwhile, regeneration improved as well, the CNS, and there was a fast and effective reconstruction of myelin sheaths in mice-both young and old.
In addition, the study also shows that "a low dose of active substance" was adequate to active the improvements, which is a significant advantage in terms of theophylline's side effects, which take place at higher doses.
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Aug 25, 2020 12:10 AM EDT
