Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Drug Discovery Service

Creative Biolabs specializes in neuroscience to support disease treatment research to advance your projects. Our services include comprehensive in vitro and in vivo one-stop solutions. We have more than 10 years of CRO experience in neuroscience to provide you with accurate analysis results.

Overview

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is the most common demyelinating disease of the CNS. It is a complex disease involving the interaction of environmental factors and multiple genes. There is increasing evidence of broad pathologic heterogeneity in MS. Pathological manifestations were perivascular infiltration of mononuclear inflammatory cells, demyelination, loss of axons, the proliferation of glial cells dominated by white matter, and formation of multiple plaques in the brain and spinal cord.

Models of MS

Several approaches are widely used to model the disease. In vitro studies have addressed specific steps of the disease, such as the mechanisms by which T cells are activated via myelin epitopes, migration across the blood-brain barrier, and demyelination. In vivo models include methods based on experimental allergic encephalomyelitis, as well as transgenic and mutant strains. Using these models, many therapeutic strategies have been proposed, but it is still suggested that T cells play a pivotal role in MS pathogenesis.

• In Vitro Models

Several in vitro studies model the experimental conditions associated with demyelination and remyelination in aggregating brain cell cultures. A deeper understanding of the underlying cellular and molecular interactions underpinning diseases from in vitro studies will continue to suggest new therapeutic strategies for testing in the in vivo models.

Fig.1 Approaches to generating oligodendrocyte (OL) precursor cells (OPCs) for testing the myelinogenic potential of MS drugs. (Madill, et al., 2016)

• In Vivo Models

Animal models can be divided into those that originate from an EAE-related protocol, those that involve virus-induced CNS disease, and those involving spontaneous or induced mutations in the CNS. They are important tools in the translational research of MS pathogenesis and treatment. In therapy development, their importance is even strategic as they determine the selection of promising drug candidates from the development pipeline.

Therapies for MS

The treatment of MS is still in its infancy, with limited treatment options, and the main treatments include corticosteroids and immunosuppressive interventions.

• Corticosteroids

Corticosteroid therapy is widely used to promote accelerated recovery after acute episodes. EAE models confirmed the inhibitory effect of corticosteroid therapy on the clinical course of disease.

• IFN-β

The original theoretical basis for exploring the role of IFNs in MS was the idea that MS was a virus-mediated disease.

• GA

GA is a non-IFN, nonsteroidal therapy that constitutes a mixture of synthetic random base copolymers of four amino acids, in a highly specific molar ratio. Generally, it is viewed that GA has the most favorable adverse effect profile in that there is a reduced propensity to develop depression, menstrual disorders, and neutralizing antibodies compared with the other therapeutic options available for MS.

Creative Biolabs has set up, optimized, or developed a range of one-stop-shop solutions for in vitro and in vivo assay, which is especially useful in the screening phase of drug development. We can apply our considerable experience with suitability testing to develop the necessary analytics specific to your project. We will work with you as part of your team to not only provide comprehensive quality data but also timely and effective solutions to any challenges that you face. Please feel free to contact us for more details.

Reference

1. Madill, M.; et al. In vitro and ex vivo models of multiple sclerosis. Drug discovery today. 2016, 21(9): 1504-1511.