Demyelinating diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, are characterized by the loss of the myelin sheath around neurons, owing to inflammation and gliosis in the central nervous system (CNS). Current treatments therefore target anti-inflammatory mechanisms to impede or slow disease progression. The identification of a means to enhance axon myelination would present new therapeutic approaches to inhibit and possibly reverse disease progression. Previously, LRR and Ig domain-containing, Nogo receptor-interacting protein (LINGO-1) has been identified as an in vitro and in vivo negative regulator of oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination. Here we show that loss of LINGO-1 function by Lingo1 gene knockout or by treatment with an antibody antagonist of LINGO-1 function leads to functional recovery from experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. This is reflected biologically by improved axonal integrity, as confirmed by magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging, and by newly formed myelin sheaths, as determined by electron microscopy. Antagonism of LINGO-1 or its pathway is therefore a promising approach for the treatment of demyelinating diseases of the CNS.

The transforming growth factor (TGF)-␤-inducible integrin ␣v␤6 is preferentially expressed at sites of epithelial remodeling and has been shown to bind and activate latent precursor TGF-␤. Herein , we show that ␣v␤6 is overexpressed in human kidney epithelium in membranous glomerulonephritis , diabetes mellitus , IgA nephropathy , Goodpasture's syndrome , and Alport syndrome renal epithelium. To assess the potential regulatory role of ␣v␤6 in renal disease , we studied the effects of functionblocking ␣v␤6 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and genetic ablation of the ␤6 subunit on kidney fibrosis in Col4A3 ؊/؊ mice , a mouse model of Alport syndrome. Expression of ␣v␤6 in Alport mouse kidneys was observed primarily in cortical tubular epithelial cells and in correlation with the progression of fibrosis. Treatment with ␣v␤6-blocking mAbs inhibited accumulation of activated fibroblasts and deposition of interstitial collagen matrix. Similar inhibition of renal fibrosis was observed in ␤6-deficient Alport mice. Transcript profiling of kidney tissues showed that ␣v␤6-blocking mAbs significantly inhibited disease-associated changes in expression of fibrotic and inflammatory mediators. Similar patterns of transcript modulation were produced with recombinant soluble TGF-␤ RII treatment , suggesting shared regulatory functions of ␣v␤6 and TGF-␤. These findings demonstrate that ␣v␤6 can contribute to the regulation of renal fibrosis and suggest this integrin as a potential therapeutic target.

Mutations in superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) are responsible for 20% of familial ALS. Given the gain of toxic function in this dominantly inherited disease, lowering SOD1 mRNA and protein is predicted to provide therapeutic benefit. An early generation antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) targeting SOD1 was identified and tested in a phase I human clinical trial, based on modest protection in animal models of SOD1 ALS. Although the clinical trial provided encouraging safety data, the drug was not advanced because there was progress in designing other, more potent ASOs for CNS application. We have developed next-generation SOD1 ASOs that more potently reduce SOD1 mRNA and protein and extend survival by more than 50 days in SOD1G93A rats and by almost 40 days in SOD1G93A mice. We demonstrated that the initial loss of compound muscle action potential in SOD1G93A mice is reversed after a single dose of SOD1 ASO. Furthermore, increases in serum phospho-neurofilament heavy chain levels, a promising biomarker for ALS, are stopped by SOD1 ASO therapy. These results define a highly potent, new SOD1 ASO ready for human clinical trial and suggest that at least some components of muscle response can be reversed by therapy.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, autoimmune, inflammatory, and demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system (CNS), which ultimately leads to axonal loss and permanent neurological disability. Current treatments for MS are largely comprised of medications that are either immunomodulatory or immunosuppressive and are aimed at reducing the frequency and intensity of relapses. Neural stem cells (NSCs) in the adult brain can differentiate into oligodendrocytes in a context-specific manner and are shown to be involved in the remyelination in these patients. NSCs may exert their beneficial effects not only through oligodendrocyte replacement but also by providing trophic support and immunomodulation, a phenomenon now known as "therapeutic plasticity." In this review, we first provided an update on the current knowledge regarding MS pathogenesis and the role of immune cells, microglia, and oligodendrocytes in MS disease progression. Next, we reviewed the current progress on research aimed toward stimulating endogenous NSC proliferation and differentiation to oligodendrocytes in vivo and in animal models of demyelination. In addition, we explored the neuroprotective and immunomodulatory effects of transplanted exogenous NSCs on T cell activation, microglial activation, and endogenous remyelination and their effects on the pathological process and prognosis in animal models of MS. Finally, we examined various protocols to generate genetically engineered NSCs as a potential therapy for MS. Overall, this review highlights the studies involving the immunomodulatory, neurotrophic, and regenerative effects of NSCs and novel methods aiming at stimulating the potential of NSCs for the treatment of MS.

Background Clinical diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease (PD) has always lagged behind clinical symptoms. The diagnostic latency might be influenced by many factors. The diagnostic latency of Chinese people with PD has been unknown. Here we designed this cross-sectional study with the purpose to identify the diagnostic latency and its determinants in Chinese people with PD. Methods One hundred and thirty-one newly diagnosed people with PD were recruited into this study. Demographic and clinical characteristics as well as a detailed clinical history were collected. Motor and non-motor symptoms (NMSs) severity were assessed with appropriate assessment scales. Medical professional types in the first medical consultations were also recorded. According to the initially presenting motor phenotypes, patients would be divided into the groups of rest tremor, limb rigidity, movement slowness and walking problems. The investigated variables would be compared among the four groups. Results The PD diagnostic latency in China was around 15 months. It closely correlated to the severity of motor symptoms, anxiety and depression as well as the number of NMSs. The diagnostic latency significantly varied among the groups of different motor phenotypes of onset. Finally, initially presenting with limb rigidity, having more NMSs, motor symptoms at a more serious degree and the initial medical consultations with physicians or specialists of non-neurology were considered as determinants of a longer diagnostic latency of PD. Conclusions Patients presenting with minor motor symptoms and disturbing NMSs as well as physicians’ unfamiliarity with PD symptomology were determinants of the diagnostic delay of PD. Health education in community and improvement of the referral system might be proper strategies to shorten the diagnostic latency of PD.