Recent findings from UC San Francisco have unveiled a clearer timeline of how multiple sclerosis (MS) begins damaging the brain, highlighting that the immune system’s assault occurs earlier than previously recognised. By examining thousands of proteins in blood samples, researchers have pinpointed the initial attack on the myelin sheath, a critical component that insulates nerve fibres.
The study identified immune system debris and activating signals in the blood, delineating a sequence of events leading to MS. Notably, the protein IL-3 emerged as a significant player in the early phase of the disease, recruiting immune cells to attack nerve cells in the central nervous system before symptoms manifest.
Dr Ahmed Abdelhak, Assistant Professor of Neurology at UCSF and co-lead author, emphasised the potential impact of these findings, stating, “We think our work opens numerous opportunities for diagnosing, monitoring, and possibly treating MS.”
Researchers analysed over 5,000 proteins from blood samples of 134 individuals with MS, sourced from the US Department of Defense Serum Repository. These samples, collected before and after diagnosis, revealed a notable spike in myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) seven years prior to diagnosis, indicating early myelin damage. This was followed by an increase in neurofilament light chain, signalling subsequent nerve fibre damage.
The study also identified around 50 proteins that could predict future disease, leading to a patent application for a diagnostic blood test based on the top 21 proteins. Dr Ari Green, senior author and chief of the Division of Neuroimmunology and Glial Biology at UCSF, remarked on the study’s implication for prevention and deeper understanding of MS development.
“MS starts way earlier than the clinical onset, creating the real possibility that we could someday prevent MS — or at least use our understanding to protect people from further injury,” Dr Green noted.
This research not only advances the understanding of MS but also holds promise for future diagnostic and preventive measures, potentially altering the landscape of MS management.
