In this Press Release from earlier in 2024, The New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) and Case Western Reserve University announced it had created the largest collection of stem cell models from multiple sclerosis (MS) patients to date, offering fresh insights into the disease. This study focuses on the role of glial cells—support cells in the brain—in the development of MS, providing new insights into how the disease works and how it might be treated.
While most research on MS has focused on immune system dysfunction, this study suggests that glial cells, particularly oligodendrocytes, may contribute directly to the disease, independent of immune system involvement. This challenges the traditional view that MS is solely driven by immune-related factors.
Using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from skin biopsies of MS patients, the team created the largest collection of MS stem cell lines, representing various clinical subtypes. These cells were then turned into glial cells—oligodendrocytes and astrocytes—to study their role in MS. By examining these cells in isolation from the immune system, the researchers uncovered new information about how these cells behave in the context of MS. Single-cell gene expression profiling revealed that glial cells from patients with primary progressive MS—one of the more severe forms of the disease—had fewer oligodendrocytes, which are responsible for myelin production.
This finding suggests that changes within the brain itself, in addition to immune dysfunction, may contribute to MS progression. The research also showed that genes related to inflammation were particularly active in the glial cells of MS patients, resembling patterns seen in brain samples from people who had MS. These results demonstrate how stem cell models can closely mimic the biological processes occurring in the brains of MS patients, providing a valuable tool for further study.
The team’s findings also point to the potential for targeting glial cells in future MS treatments. Currently, many MS therapies focus on suppressing the immune system to reduce attacks on the myelin. However, these treatments don’t fully address the neurodegeneration that drives the disease. By targeting glial cell behaviors, researchers could develop treatments that not only manage immune responses but also slow or prevent neurodegeneration, leading to better long-term outcomes for MS patients.
By combining large-scale stem cell-based modeling with in-depth studies of glial cells, the research opens up new possibilities for therapies that target the underlying causes of neurodegeneration in MS, rather than just focusing on immune suppression.
