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NF-kB is a small molecule which plays very important role in controlling production of inflammatory molecules by immune cells. NF-kB is normally found in the cytoplasm of the cell, but when it is activated, it moves into the nucleus of the cell and interacts with genetic material to produce inflammatory molecules.
Dr Jun Yan and her colleagues observed previously that permanent activation of NF-kB (i.e. increased levels of NF-kB in the nucleus of a cell) occurs in blood cells from some people with MS.
The aim of this project is to identify why NK-kB is activated in people with progressive
NK-kB works by traveling into the nucleus of a cells and interacting with genetic material to produce inflammatory molecules. In order to determine why NK-kB is activated in people with chronic progressive MS, Dr Yan has investigated whether there are genetic differences that control the movement of NF-kB into the nucleus.
Dr Yan has found that people with progressive MS more commonly have mutations in NF-kB than people with relapsing MS and people without MS.
She has also found that the activation of NF-kB is seen particularly in people with primary or secondary progressive MS who are not on any immunomodulatory therapeutic agents, compared to healthy individuals and people with MS who are taking the therapeutic agents. This finding suggests that NF-kB might play an important role in the development of chronic-autoimmune attack and disease progression in MS.
J. Yan and J.M. Greer (2008) NF-B, a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. CNS & Neurological Disorders – Drug Targets, 7, 536-557
Dr Jun Yan
$150,000
2007
2 years
Past project
