Autoimmune Multiple Sclerosis Immune Privilege Uveitis Alpha-Msh

A factor (protein) in the eye involved in the eye's "immune privilege" has prevented and halted autoimmune eye disease in animal models and promises to aid in preventing and treating other autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis and diabetes, according to scientists at the Schepens Eye Research Institute.

In a study in the November issue of the Journal of Leukocyte Biology, the authors demonstrated that the factor alpha-MSH, when harnessed and used as a therapeutic drug, successfully prevented the onset of and stopped the progression of uveitis, a sight stealing autoimmune disease.

Based on this study and the basic research leading up to it, the Schepens Eye Research Institute team was awarded a $330,000 grant by the Wadsworth Foundation to explore new therapies for multiple sclerosis last week.

(Source: AP Biscom)