Uploaded June 2021 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
In MS, the immune system mistakenly attacks the fatty substance covering nerve cells, called myelin. This triggers inflammation and loss of the protective coating around some nerves. To date, the drugs used to treat MS are mostly immunosuppressive in nature and we are yet to see an effective drug to repair this damage to myelin. There is an urgent need for new drugs to both protect myelin and to promote myelin growth and repair, termed remyelination.
There is a group of drugs used to treat MS called sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptor agonists, known more commonly as S1Ps, such as fingolimod (Gilenya), siponimod (Mayzent) and the newer addition, ozanimod (Zeposia). These drugs are known to be immunosuppressive in nature, reducing the inflammation commonly seen in MS. However, recent evidence suggests that they may in fact also have properties to promote remyelination. It is also thought that some people living with MS may have low levels of naturally occurring S1P in the body and that these drugs can act like the naturally occurring S1P, potentially explaining some of their positive effects.
Associate Professor Don and his team will investigate if the S1P drugs are myelin protective, if they promote the formation of myelin, and the processes by which this may happen. Additionally, the research team will also explore whether people living with MS may be deficient in the S1P in the first place, helping us to better understand how this class of drug impacts MS. This research will add to our understanding of the mechanisms of action for these drugs, as well as shedding light on a potential source of remyelination for those living with MS.
In MS, the immune system mistakenly attacks the fatty substance covering nerve cells, called myelin. This triggers inflammation and loss of the protective coating around some nerves. To date, the drugs used to treat MS are mostly immunosuppressive in nature and we are yet to see an effective drug to repair this damage to myelin. There is an urgent need for new drugs to both protect myelin and to promote myelin growth and repair, termed remyelination.
There is a group of drugs used to treat MS called sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptor agonists, known more commonly as S1Ps, such as fingolimod (Gilenya), siponimod (Mayzent) and the newer addition, ozanimod (Zeposia). These drugs are known to be immunosuppressive in nature, reducing the inflammation commonly seen in MS. However, recent evidence suggests that they may in fact also have properties to promote remyelination. It is also thought that some people living with MS may have low levels of naturally occurring S1P in the body and that these drugs can act like the naturally occurring S1P, potentially explaining some of their positive effects.
Associate Professor Don and his team will investigate if the S1P drugs are myelin protective, if they promote the formation of myelin, and the processes by which this may happen. Additionally, the research team will also explore whether people living with MS may be deficient in the S1P in the first place, helping us to better understand how this class of drug impacts MS. This research will add to our understanding of the mechanisms of action for these drugs, as well as shedding light on a potential source of remyelination for those living with MS.
