Considering that the cure for Multiple Sclerosis is yet to be globally recognized, MS Hill, a renowned strong advocate of MS research has recently welcomed new ANU research in its quest for a cheaper and more effective ways to treat the chronic, auto-immune disease. Experts from the Sydney-based MS Research Australia have revealed that they have granted the ANU a $200,000 grant. The ANU research aims to help in improving the lives of as much as 23,000 Australian who has already been affected by MS.
Neutrophil Extracellular Traps: The Answer To Multiple Sclerosis?
According to reports revealed by The Canberra Times, the study will allegedly focus on how new drugs could prevent a process in the body called neutrophil extracellular traps, or NETs, from inflaming neurons. It was found that NETs are being formed when immune system cells, dubbed as 'neutrophil', makes contact with bacteria, activated platelets and as well as inflammatory stimuli. Experts have even described the process not just something that has the ability to help the body defend against infection, but can also mistakenly kill the body's own cells, leading to a variety of diseases.
Furthermore, in one of her statements, study lead researcher Dr. Anne Bruestle from The John Curtin School of Medical Research said that the study will look at how NETs interact with cells in order to identify how new treatment could potentially halt the inflammation. By far, she adds that the role of both neutrophils and their NETs is not clearly understood in the context of MS and its laboratory models.
Study Proposition
As per the Australian National University, Dr. Bruestle said that the results obtained from the study are groundbreaking because the treatment is already noted for having minimal side effects and is inexpensive to manufacture. Additionally, the final stage of the project's target is to take the laboratory findings to patients and examine the level of neutrophils and NETs in the blood of people with MS. Ultimately, the lead researcher has also claimed that the results of this study will underpin any future clinical trials of a treatment for MS based on NET.
