MULTIPLE-SCLEROSIS - PROMOTION OF REMYELINATION AS A FUTURE THERAPEUTIC STRATEGY

Multiple sclerosis (MS),the most common neurological autoimmune disord er diagnosed in young adults, is characterised by the repeated occurre nce of demyelinating lesions within the central nervous system (CNS). Promotion of remyelination in the brain and spinal cord constitutes a potential strategy for therapeutic intervention in MS and other demyel inating diseases. Three different principles are known to promote remy elination in the CNS of different animal models: Application of growth factors, transplantation of myelin-forming cells and intravenous immu noglobulin (IVIg) therapy. However, the systemic application of growth factors could be limited by effects on unaffected tissue. For success ful transplantation we still have the problem of homologous cells not tolerated by a immunological different organism. Currently the require d combination of growth factors needed to cultivate human homologous c ells is not known,so that cells suitable for transplantation are still not available. Nevertheless, there is increasing evidence for benefic ial effects of IVIg therapy on the promotion of remyelination in human s. In this review we summarise recent findings on the regulation of my elin sheath development and oligodendrocyte differentiation,and discus s the presented strategies in the context of possible clinical applica tion for the therapy of MS.