The potential of neurogenesis induction by immune cells in patients with multiple sclerosis

2^nd International Conference on Neuroimmunology & Therapeutics

December 01-02, 2016 Atlanta, USA

Arnon Karni and Karin Fainberg

Tel Aviv University, Israel

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Neurol Disord

Abstract :

Background: Neural stem cells (NSCs) are abundantly present in MS lesions but they fail to mature into active neurons and oligodendrocytes. It was suggested that the immune system act in repairing damaged CNS tissue. We studied the production of pro-neurogenic factors: noggin, follistatin, differential screening-selected gene aberrative in neuroblastoma â�� DAN, leukemia inhibitory factor- LIF and anti-neurogenic factors: bone morphgenic proteins (BMPs), epidermal growth factor â�� EGF by immune cells and in the serum and cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) of RR-MS patients. Methods: Supernatants of cultured PBMCs, serum and CSF from untreated RR-MS patients and matched health controls (HC) were tested for the factors by ELISA. The levels of the factors were also examined in separated T cells and monocytes using MACS. Immune regulation of these factor was studied by co-culturing PBMCs with various stimulatory conditions and pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Results: PBMCs of RR-MS patients secreted significantly lower levels of noggin and follistatin (0.38 ng/ml�± 0.14 and 12.26�±2.28 pg/ml, respectively) vs. HC (1.69 ng/ml�±0.51, 30.6 �±4.34 pg/ml, respectively, p=0.03 and p=0.001, respectively). Discussion: Immune mediated neuro-regeneration is probably defective in MS patients. Our data suggests that immune cells in RR-MS patients may directly impair neurogenesis/ oligodendrogenesis by creating a non-supportive milieu for these processes, especially by T cells. A different expression profiles exist for different BMP antagonists: while noggin and follistatin were secreted by immune cells DAN was not secreted by immune cells and predominantly exists in the CNS. Elevated levels of DAN, in the CSF of RR-MS patients, suggest that a mechanisms intended to overcome the anti- neurogenic immunological milieu may exist in the CNS. The insufficient regeneration of neurons and oligodendrocytes in MS may be related to a defective immune mediated neurogenesis.

Biography :

Email: arnonk@tlvmc.gov.il