London, UK – A new study using transparent zebrafish has discovered a previously unknown feature of multiple sclerosis (MS) biology that could shed new light on potential strategies to stop disability progression.

The study, published in Nature Neuroscience¹, was carried out by researchers from the MS Society Edinburgh Centre for MS Research at the University of Edinburgh. The team used a state-of-the-art live imaging platform to take high resolution images of zebrafish – minnow-sized fish often used in research because of their genetic similarities to humans – allowing them to examine in detail the behaviour of oligodendrocytes. These cells produce the protective myelin coating around nerves, but are attacked by your immune system in MS.

Previous studies have suggested that oligodendrocytes can survive MS attacks and may go on to produce new myelin for their nerves but, until now, researchers didn’t know how these survivors compared with new oligodendrocytes produced after old ones are lost. The study showed surviving oligodendrocytes produce far less myelin than new ones and also send the myelin to the wrong part of the nerve. Scientists saw this pattern in both zebrafish and in brain tissue donated to the MS Society Tissue Bank by people with MS after their death. The discovery unlocks new potential avenues for MS research, including looking at whether the surviving oligodendrocytes could respond to treatment to help boost their performance.

The researchers also suggest that, by surviving, the oligodendrocytes could in fact be hindering effective myelin repair. The death of oligodendrocytes can be a signal for the stem cells to transform into new ones. Therefore, the survival of these ineffective oligodendrocytes could come at the expense of the production of new, more efficient oligodendrocytes. Future research could explore whether targeting surviving cells for destruction could complement therapeutic strategies to promote myelin repair through the generation of new oligodendrocytes.

Dr. Clare Walton, Head of Research at the MS Society, says “We’re really proud to have helped fund this latest study from Edinburgh, which could have important implications for future MS treatment. MS is relentless, painful and disabling, and we need to find ways to repair damaged myelin so no one has to worry about their MS getting worse.

“Improving our understanding of what happens after myelin becomes damaged is one of our research priorities, and studies like this take us another step closer to our important goal of stopping MS.”

Professor David Lyons, Associate director of the MS Society Edinburgh Centre for MS Research, says "These new findings exemplify the power and importance of studying both animal models and the disease itself side by side. We have much to learn about the biology of oligodendrocytes that survive demyelination, but are confident that increasing our understanding of their contributions to remyelination will refine ongoing development of therapeutic strategies to stop MS."

The MS Society’s Stop MS Appeal needs to raise £100million to find treatments for everyone with MS. With your help, we can reach our target and stop MS. For more information visit www.mssociety.org.uk/STOP-MS.

References

1. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41593-021-01009-x

About multiple sclerosis

• Over 130,000 people live with multiple sclerosis (MS) in the UK
• MS damages nerves in your body and makes it harder to do everyday things, like walk, talk, eat and think
• It’s relentless, painful and disabling
• Research has got us to a critical point. We can see a future where nobody needs to worry about MS getting worse
• Our Stop MS Appeal needs to raise £100 million to find treatments for everyone with MS

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