The impact of IL-1β on glial cells and myelin regeneration in models of Multiple Sclerosis

Destruction of both can lead to the loss of underlying neurons and functional decline in patients. Myelin regeneration (remyelination) can occur in early stages of the disease but often fails with disease progression, in part due to impaired oligodendrocyte progenitor (OPC) differentiation.

However, to date there are no treatments available that can therapeutically enhance remyelination. <br> <br>Intriguingly, remyelination is boosted in areas of inflammation. IL-1β, a potent pro-inflammatory mediator, was found in MS lesions but conversely, was also shown to enhance CNS repair in an animal model of MS. However, its function in OPC biology, myelination and remyelination remains incompletely understood. <br> <br>This project aims to determine the function of pro-inflammatory IL-1β signalling on glial cells in non-injury context and after damage. <br> <br>Mixed and pure glial cultures were used to investigate the impact of IL-1 signalling on OPC biology in context of other CNS glial cells and in isolation.