Grant: Project Grant

In Canada, multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common neurological disease affecting young adults between the ages of 20-40. At present, this chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease has no known cause or cure. While most individuals with MS initially present with a relapsing form of disease, the majority will eventually transition to a progressive form, which unfortunately does not respond to current treatments. Furthermore, within the clinical setting, it is not possible to identify which individual patients will transition to a progressive form and how they may respond to a specific disease-modifying therapy (DMT). This project aims to identify novel biomarkers within bodily fluids of MS patients that will help neurologists and patients make better informed decisions regarding their approach to clinical care. Specifically, this research focuses on small nanovesicles, termed extracellular vesicles (EVs), that are released from cells and circulate throughout the body. EVs also contain active biological molecules (i.e. molecular cargo) that are well-known to influence the properties and functions of specific brain cells that are involved in MS disease-specific mechanisms. This research will investigate how EVs and their associated cargo can serve as potential biomarkers of MS disease activity, progression, and response to various DMTs. In addition, we will investigate how EVs are trafficked throughout the body, including the central nervous system (CNS), and influence the activity of immune and neural cells involved in brain injury and repair. Finally, we will explore the possible therapeutic potential of EVs to deliver specific molecules (e.g. microRNAs and proteins) that we have previously shown to decrease inflammatory-mediated injury, while also stimulating remyelination. We anticipate that the outcomes of this study will improve the overall health of MS patients and provide insights into novel therapeutic approaches for treating neurological diseases.