Article of interest (5) - Lingo1 in MS

LINGO-1 is a natural protein that inhibits oligodendrocyte* function and therefore prevents remyelination. In animal studies loss of LINGO-1 function by deleting the gene or by treating the animal with an antibody that blocks LINGO-1 function leads to recovery from experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, the animal model of MS. Electron microscopy demonstrated newly formed myelin sheaths. Blocking LINGO-1 or its pathway is therefore a very promising approach to promote remyelination in MS.


"Anti-LINGO-1 is now in a phase 1b study in MS'ers; this is a very exciting development! Would you not agree?"

CoI: I have consulted in the past for Biogen-Idec who are developing this drug.

*Oligodendrocytes are the cells that produce myelin

For those of you who want to read the abstract: Mi et al. LINGO-1 antagonist promotes spinal cord remyelination and axonal integrity in MOG-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Nat Med. 2007 Oct;13(10):1228-33.

Further reading: oligodendrocytes, myelin, LINGO-1