Multiple sclerosis (MS) is characterized by persistent inflammation, primarily driven by CNS-resident immune cells like microglia, particularly in the progressive stages. The purinergic P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) is widely expressed on immune cells and is elevated on reactive astrocytes and microglia of MS lesions.

A combination of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antibodies and genetic factors may be linked to an increased risk of multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a study led by scientists at Karolinska Institutet and Stanford University. “The Epstein-Barr virus has been a suspect for many years for having a role in causing MS. The evidence for it has increased though one has not really reached complete proof of its role,” Tomas Olsson told BioWorld.

Myrobalan Therapeutics Inc. has been awarded a grant of over $850,000 from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society to support the preclinical and translational development of MRO-002, a G-protein-coupled receptor 17 (GPR17) antagonist, for the treatment of progressive multiple sclerosis (MS).

For the first time, researchers have identified that inflammation – long associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) – appears to cause increased mutations that damage neurons linked to MS progression. Researchers at the Florey Institute and the University of Melbourne studied MS brain lesions, which are areas of past or ongoing brain inflammation that are visible as spots on MRI scans.

For the first time, researchers have identified that inflammation – long associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) – appears to cause increased mutations that damage neurons linked to MS progression. Researchers at the Florey Institute and the University of Melbourne studied MS brain lesions, which are areas of past or ongoing brain inflammation that are visible as spots on MRI scans.

Tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2), expressed in astrocytes and microglia, is involved in the activation of pathways triggered by proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-23, IL-12 and type I interferons (IFNs), within the central nervous system (CNS). Dysregulated activation of astrocytes and microglia may contribute to the neuroinflammation associated with progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS).