Now
MS researchers and clinicians.
“We need smart, creative
people focused on multiple
sclerosis, and here you are!”
said Cyndi Zagieboylo, CEO
of the National MS Society, in
welcoming the fellows to the
conference, which was held in
conjunction with the Society’s
National Conference.
“We are helping young
people to shape their future
in the research arena,” said
Donald Tykeson, Honorary
Life Director of the Society’s
National Board of Directors,
who has lived with MS for 50
years.
The conference is made
possible by a generous
donation from Mr. Tykeson,
who has agreed to fund this
conference over five more
years, guaranteeing that more
connections will be made toward
finding ways to stop MS, restore
function and end MS forever.
Forging new research paths
The gathered fellows represented
the Society’s comprehensive
approach to MS research. Harry
Weaver Neuroscience Scholar
Sergio Baranzini, PhD, at
University of California at San
Francisco (UCSF), described
his work following gene activity
in people at high risk for MS.
“The gene Tob1 was reduced in
specific immune cells in people
who progressed,” reported
Dr. Baranzini. The team then
found that mice deficient in
Tob1 experienced increased
inflammation,
and they are
following up to
see if targeting
Tob1 may help to
prevent early MS
progression.
Poster sessions allow for informal exchange of ideas.
A novel
mechanism that
may underlie
nerve fiber damage in MS was
discussed by Cheng Fang, PhD,
a postdoctoral fellow with Drs.
Dennis Bourdette and Gary
Banker at Oregon Health &
Science University (OHSU).
Dr. Fang used live cell imaging
to capture what happens to the
wire-like axons (nerve fibers)
before and after hydrogen
peroxide is administered.
Hydrogen peroxide is a common
“reactive oxygen species,” which
are molecules active in the
immune attack that may play a
role in MS. “Our results show
that reactive oxygen species
directly damage axons,” she
said. This may open up new
opportunities for stopping
nervous system damage in MS.
could be prevented by treatment
with specific antibodies.
Strategies for repairing
nervous system by cell
transplantation were explored.
Jason Weinger, PhD, at
University of California, Irvine,
talked about the possibility that
cells could be rejected by the
body like other transplants can
be. A fellow of Thomas Lane,
PhD, Dr. Weinger described
how immature nerve cells
transplanted into mice were
indeed rejected, but rejection
Mentors who provide training
experiences for fellows were also
present, and lent their expertise
to the discussions. Jonah Chan,
PhD (UCSF), described his
high-tech creation of nerve
fibers using “electrospinning,” in
which an electrical charge draws
very fine fibers from a liquid.
Myelin-making cells placed on
these electrospun fibers actually
form myelin around them, if the
diameter of the fiber is within
a specific measurement. This
provides convincing new evidence
that axon diameter indeed
contributes to myelin formation.
“These fibers should provide
valuable insight into nerve repair
strategies,” said Dr. Chan.
Improving care
Exciting basic research at the
conference was matched by
the fellows tackling clinical
and rehabilitation research.
Jesse Huisinga, PhD (OHSU),
presented results of a study of
balance in 10 people with MS.
Balance (as measured by how
much a person swayed while
standing still with eyes open
