GROWTH-FACTORS AND MYELIN REGENERATION IN MULTIPLE-SCLEROSIS

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-I), platelet-derived growth factor ( PDGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) ore multifunctional growth factors which ore found in the CNS. Oligodendroglia ore the cells that form and maintain myelin sheaths an d many in vitro experiments have shown that these growth factors promo te the proliferation, differentiation and survival of cells in the oli godendroglial lineage. Since myelin breakdown is often severe in multi ple sclerosis (MS), the possibility of growth factor use in the treatm ent of MS has been considered and recently, IGF-I treatment has been s hown to reduce lesion severity and promote myelin regeneration in expe rimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), on animal model of MS. Th is review briefly summarizes the structural characteristics of these g rowth factors and the actions which might hell, reduce oligodendrocyte -myelin sheath injury in MS and promote myelin regeneration.