Summer 2011 - Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada

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U of A medical research discovery demonstrates potential MS therapy could kill brain cells MS Society funds innovative research project Researchers with the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry at the University of Alberta have discovered that some “protective” T-cells can kill neurons. This finding is significant because a specific type of T-cell therapy is being touted in Dr. Fabrizio Giuliani, seated, and his post-doctoral fellow, Yohannes Haile, discovered that a specific type of T-cell kills neurons. The finding is significant because some people in the medical community had talked about using T-cell therapy for MS patients. the medical community as a potential treatment for MS and other autoimmune conditions. Dr. Fabrizio Giuliani and his postdoctoral fellow, Yohannes Haile, both from the Division of Neurology, collaborated on this research which was recently published in the Journal 12 MS Connections Summer 2011 of Leukocyte Biology, a peer-reviewed medical journal. “Using T-cells has been seen as a potential treatment for autoimmune diseases,” says Dr. Giuliani. “But these cells that are supposed to be regulatory, when activated, they can kill. In our hands, at least, they were able to kill neurons. So this is very important. In MS literature, they were starting to talk about using the infusion of these cells as treatment. This area needs to be studied more before these cells are used as a therapy for MS patients.” The finding was serendipitous, says Giuliani. “We were using some of the cells that we have described here as a control in our project. And then the T-cells did something interesting, something we weren’t expecting. In fact, we were expecting the exact opposite response with these cells. “We were looking at how a specific type of T-cell could prevent neuronal death and then we found out they were doing the killing…These are the best findings – when you are expecting something different and then you observe an amazing phenomenon.” T-cells are very important – their primary role is to attack foreign viruses or bacteria and to regulate or maintain immune system tolerance. However, when T-cell tolerance is disrupted, they can cause autoimmune diseases. Researchers in the medical community have thought if they could carefully collect regulatory T-cells and inject them into patients with autoimmune diseases, these T-cells could keep autoimmune diseases under control. Work with lab models that had MS and were treated with T-cells was promising. However, recent studies of human cells have shown “Using T-cells has been seen as a potential treatment for autoimmune diseases. But these cells that are supposed to be regulatory, when activated, they can kill.” humans have different subpopulations of T-cells – some of which do not have a regulatory function. Giuliani and Haile worked with different subpopulations of T-cells and discovered some were toxic to neurons. Giuliani and his colleague are the first medical researchers to demonstrate that activating a specific type of T-cell can kill brain cells. They want to continue their work in this area to determine what causes some T-cells to behave this way. “We want to take the research further. We want to continue this story in an attempt to try and solve the mystery.” Their research was funded by: the MS Society of Canada, the University of Alberta Hospital Foundation and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
St. Paul man makes huge impact in Lakeland MS diagnosis requires making changes Gerald McCormack was diagnosed with MS in 2007 but doesn’t let it get him down. On the contrary, he makes the best of the situation. “I have changed my life around totally,” he says. “I have different wants and needs now.” Gerald lives in Cold Lake with a supportive wife and his three children (one is married and not living at home anymore) whom he says, “have given me a phenomenal amount of support.” Gerald has been involved with the Lakeland Regional Office of the MS “I have changed my life around totally. I have different wants and needs now.” Society since the office opened in 2009 and has met many new friends along the way. “It’s not what the MS Society does financially, but how it is so personable,” he says. In the last two years, Gerald has been extremely involved with the Lakeland Enerflex MS Walk and even captains his own team, Team Mac. “I do the walk for two reasons: #1 is to raise money to try and help others with MS; #2 is to raise money for research. Someday I want to know what has caused MS for me,” he says. Team Mac has raised over $16,000 since 2010! Gerald and his team plan on walking again next year, and Gerald himself will continue to eagerly participate in the programs offered by the Lakeland Regional Office. Walking for Mom Diane Mottl and her husband Rick at the Enerflex MS Walk in Calgary. Diane and Rick were walking for Diane’s mom, Bernice, who lives in Peace River and has MS. Diane’s dad, Ed Roski, volunteers with the North Peace region of the MS Society and plays a large part in organizing the North Peace MS Trail Ride. MS Support Groups in Alberta Battle River /Wainwright — call Teresa at 780-755-2226. Brooks — call the Southeastern Chapter office at 403-529-6797. Calgary — call 403-250-7090 for further information. Drumheller — call Karen at 403-820-7863. Edmonton — call 780-471-3034 for further information. Fairview — call 780-835-4868 for further information. Hinton — call Geke at 780-740-5692 for further information. Lethbridge — call 403-328-7002 for further information. Lloydminster — call 780-871-0513 for further information. Medicine Hat — call 403-529-6797 for further information. Pincher Creek /Crowsnest — call 403-328-7002 for further information. Red Deer — call 403-346-0290 for further information. South Peace/Grande Prairie — call 780-532-3204 for further information. St. Paul — call Brenda at 780-645-3441 ext 226 for further information. MS Connections Summer 2011 13
Page 1 and 2: A newsletter connecting Albertans w
Page 3 and 4: MS Friendly Visiting program provid
Page 5 and 6: During the weekend of June 3-5, 19
Page 7 and 8: Alberta Student A BRIGHT LIGHT Brie
Page 9 and 10: The Hay Lakes lunch stop, hosted by
Page 11: My MS A personal account of one per
Page 15 and 16: Ask Jeannine When do I need an indw
Page 17 and 18: option is to use a bathtub with a d
Page 19 and 20: ! ! ! Safeway Pharmacy MS Connectio

Summer 2011 - Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada

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