Imagine being able to stop the immune system from attacking the myelin in the brain! A new study exposed mice to “fragments of the components that the immune system is attacking and destroying,” (NHS) through repeated exposure to build tolerance similar to allergy treatment or immunotherapy. Building tolerance in this process results in attacking cells becoming regulatory cells slowing the immune system. This new research provided information on gene activity and changes. The focus of the study was on dose-escalation therapy process; the secondary findings revealed the reduced immune system response. Though similar information was already known, the new data discovered can now be used in future studies.

Learn more about this study at: http://www.nhs.uk/news/2014/09September/Pages/How-immunotherapy-might-treat-multiple-sclerosis.aspx or http://www.nature.com/ncomms/2014/140903/ncomms5741/full/ncomms5741.html.  Image from www.nyas.org.