Objective
- The identification of the major gene/gene regions associated with development of multiple sclerosis (MS) in well defined Scandinavian families.
- The identification of the major genes associated with development of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) in mouse using a unique model with chronic development of disease.
- Identify and study the biological significance of the eae2 gene product using both mouse and human systems.
- Study the biological importance and gene interactions of human genes of importance for MS by establishment of congenic mouse strains.
- Initial assessment of the feasibility to use the identified targets in diagnosis and therapy.
Multiples sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects 0.1% of the general population in the EU. The highest frequency of MS of 0.2% is found in the northern part of Europe, especially Scandinavia, where for a long time there as been extensive patient data available. It is known that there is a strong genetic component in human MS, but the major genes have yet to be specifically identified and their pathological role determined.
The goal of identifying MS genes will be achieved through a cooperative approach using both, animal models for MS and well defined isolated cohorts of MS families and sibpairs. The work on animals will be performed using a model for MS in mice developing chronic experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE). The work will concentrate on the identification of a gene region shared between humans (chromosome 5) and mice (chromosome 15); other gene regions will also be identified.
The optimal goal is to identify the responsible gene(s) and thereby provide unique insight into the basic pathogenesis of MS and suggest new ways to develop therapies for the disease.
Fields of science
Call for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
CSC - Cost-sharing contractsCoordinator
221 84 LUND
Sweden