Researchers based at the MS Society Centre for Translational Medicine, University of Edinburgh, have used zebrafish to understand how myelin repair works. The results could give important clues on how it doesn’t work as efficiently in people with MS.
The team used zebrafish, a type of tropical fish, because they share more than 80 per cent of the genes associated with human diseases. They’re also transparent, which means researchers can look at their nervous system without surgical or physical intervention.
The research, published today in the journal Developmental Cell, looked at the ability of individual cells called oligodendrocytes to generate myelin. (Say that after a glass of Cava.) The researchers found the cells have only a very short time period of a few hours in which to make this protective coating.
Promoting myelin formation
The researchers are now focusing on how manipulation of genes and the use of treatments might promote myelin formation in zebrafish. We hope the results of this study will be used to find ways of encouraging myelin repair in people with MS.
Dr Susan Kohlhaas, head of biomedical research at the MS Society said:
“These new results demonstrate, for the first time, that myelin repair happens in a matter of hours. Although this is early stage research, it’s encouraging to see new techniques being used to tell us more about how myelin repair works.
"One of the MS Society’s priorities is developing new myelin repair treatments so we look forward to finding out about what the researchers at the University of Edinburgh are able to achieve next.”
Read the full paper in Developmental Cell.
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/zebrafish-group/
And that's another reason to stay friendly with the Scots. They are jolly clever.
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