Amit Bar-Or, M.D.
Montréal Neurological Institute, McGill University
Unraveling the Mysteries of "B" Cells

While most MS research has focused on how immune system T cells cause tissue damage in the central nervous system, it is becoming clear that another type of immune cell, the B cell, may also be involved.

B cells normally protect the body by making antibodies to fight infection. For some reason, these cells can also cause considerable damage for certain people with MS.

Dr. Barr-Oh has identified a particular type of memory (long-lived) B Cell that can trigger T cells and make an abundance of antibodies. Samples collected from blood and cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) in people with and without MS will help him narrow down who is most likely to have the memory B Cells.

He is also testing if the memory B cells can make antibodies against myelin and how they might be triggering T cells.

With this vital information in hand, Dr. Barr-Or is pursuing innovative approaches to treating the particularly challenging primary and secondary progressive forms of MS.

Samuel David, Ph.D. McGill University, Stopping Immune System attacks
A very exciting moment in the world of MS research took place two years ago when Dr. Samuel David and his Ph.D. student Athena Kalyvas not only showed that the amount of an enzyme known as CPLA2 is increased in spinal cord lesions-they also showed that blocking the enzyme "has a remarkable effect in preventing disease relapses"

"This suggests that the CPLA2 enzyme may be an excellent target for the development of drugs to treat MS" says Dr. David.

With new funding, Dr. David is now studying this & in even greater depth. His goal? To bring us closer to drugs that can block this dangerous enzyme -and prevent damage to the central nervous system in people with various forms of MS.