20.02.2017 change 20.02.2017

Polish scientists stopped multiple sclerosis in mice

Specific white blood cells from a mouse infected intestinal parasite halted the progression of multiple sclerosis in other mice - showed Dr. Katarzyna Donskow-Łysoniewska from the University of Warsaw.

The discovery could contribute to treating autoimmune diseases in humans.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease, in the course of which the body\'s own lymphocytes destroy nerve cells. Insulating myelin covers of nerve cells are destroyed, which interferes with the transmission of signals and leads to disruption of the nervous system. The social cost of the disease is compounded by the fact that MS usually affects young people aged 20-40 years.

Experiments conducted at the Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw were based on existing knowledge of helminthic therapy (treatment of diseases by means of deliberate infestation with living nematodes).

According to the press release sent to PAP, researchers from the Department of Parasitology conducted a study in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis. From individuals in whom remission was observed during parasite infection, they isolated certain leukocytes (white blood cells), which were transferred into the bloodstream of sick mice. As a result of this experiment, after 2-3 days researchers observed inhibited symptoms of the disease, and complete inhibition after about 9 days. Until now, these leukocytes were not associated with the remission of inflammation in autoimmune diseases.

"We know that parasites have a remarkable ability to inhibit the immune response of their hosts, allowing them to inhabit the body for a long time without causing an inflammatory reaction. Thus, in patients with autoimmune diseases, the presence of intestinal roundworms in the body results in the inhibition of excessive inflammatory response and consequently the symptoms of diseases such as non-specific inflammatory bowel disease, and even multiple sclerosis (MS). Our experiments aimed to identify the mechanisms induced during treatment with live nematodes in mice with autoimmune inflammation of the brain and spinal cord - the SM model. During the experiments we identified a new population of leukocytes, the number of which increased significantly and during remission of the disease in mice infected with a nematode" - explained Dr. Donskow-Łysoniewska.

Further research has shown that it is possible to activate and increase the number of leukocytes of this type not only in the body of sick mice (in vivo), but also ex vivo - in the blood taken from sick mice. "It is very likely that the discovered mechanism will work for other autoimmune diseases, because it can be universal. We will soon begin experiments on mice suffering from Alzheimer\'s disease" - added Dr. Donskow-Łysoniewska.

We do not know how long the therapeutic effect of the identified leukocytes lasts - in the case of mice it is a few weeks.

According to the study author, the discovery has great potential for commercialisation, since it can become the basis for developing effective and fast treatment not only for multiple sclerosis, but also other autoimmune diseases. However, since the results of experiments on mice can not be transferred directly to people, further research is needed before we can talk about the production of specific drugs or development of therapies.

Therapy using live nematodes is difficult to use for ethical reasons. It is possible, however, that the blood of the patient could be exposed to factors of parasitic origin, and then the emerging specific white blood cells could be isolated and injected into the patient. However, such use requires a lot of research and funding. "We are a long way from the practical application of the results of research in mice" - noted Dr. Donskow-Łysoniewska in an interview with PAP.

"We need investments and further research. First of all, it must be demonstrated that the discovered mechanism also works in humans. Such studies, however, are very expensive and subject to such regulations that the university alone would afford to conduct them. That is why we are talking with industry investors and we have submitted a patent application" - explained Robert Dwiliński, director of the University Technology Transfer Centre.

In his opinion, despite very promising results of the experiments and the market potential of the discovery, the first therapy and drugs - assuming the success of all stages of commercialisation - will be available on the market in eight to ten years..

PAP - Science and Scholarship in Poland

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