Validation of tag SNPs for multiple sclerosis HLA risk alleles across the 1000 genomes panel.

Currently, the genetic variants strongly associated with risk for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) are located in the Major Histocompatibility Complex. This includes DRB1*15:01 and DRB1*15:03 alleles at the HLA-DRB1 locus, the latter restricted to African populations; the DQB1*06:02 allele at the HLA-DQB1 locus which is in high linkage disequilibrium (LD) with DRB1*15:01; and protective allele A*02:01 at the HLA-A locus. HLA allele identification is facilitated by co-inherited ('tag') single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs); however, SNP validation is not typically done outside of the discovery population.

Cut-off evaluation of intrathecal oligoclonal bands of IgM in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis; a retrospective study.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common demyelinating disease and characterized by immunological changes. Oligoclonal bands of IgG in CSF not seen in corresponding serum have been used for many years as part of the diagnostic criteria. However, considerably less is known about the role of IgM, despite several studies showing marked changes to IgM metabolism in MS.

Lanthionine Ketimine Ethyl Ester Accelerates Remyelination in a Mouse Model of Multiple Sclerosis.

Although over 20 disease modifying therapies are approved to treat Multiple Sclerosis (MS), these do not increase remyelination of demyelinated axons or mitigate axon damage. Previous studies showed that lanthionine ketenamine ethyl ester (LKE) reduces clinical signs in the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model of MS and increased maturation of oligodendrocyte (OL) progenitor cells (OPCs) . In the current study, we used the cuprizone (CPZ) demyelination model of MS to test if LKE could increase remyelination.

Serum levels of lipocalin-2 are elevated at early times in African American relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis patients.

Previous studies showed that depleting Liver Kinase-B1 (LKB1) from astrocytes increased inflammatory factors lipocalin-2 (LCN2) and osteopontin (OPN) in EAE. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in STK11 (encoding LKB1) is a risk factor for MS, suggesting increased LCN2 or OPN contributes to risk. Serum LCN2 and OPN levels in African American female MS patients were higher than healthy controls, and while levels increased with disease duration in cases without the SNP, levels decreased with duration in cases with the SNP.

Río-Hortega's drawings revisited with fluorescent protein defines a cytoplasm-filled channel system of CNS myelin.

A century ago this year, Pío del Río-Hortega (1921) coined the term 'oligodendroglia' for the 'interfascicular glia' with very few processes, launching an extensive discovery effort on his new cell type. One hundred years later, we review his original contributions to our understanding of the system of cytoplasmic channels within myelin in the context of what we observe today using light and electron microscopy of genetically encoded fluorescent reporters and immunostaining. We use the term myelinic channel system to describe the cytoplasm-delimited spaces associated with myelin; being the paranodal loops, inner and outer tongues, cytoplasm-filled spaces through compact myelin and further complex motifs associated to the sheath.