- Lipid-array analysis (a technique to where different lipids=fats are stuck on slide and when a lipid -specific antibody is present it can be detected) showed lipid-specific antibodies against sulfatide, sphingomyelin and oxidized lipids in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) derived from individuals with multiple sclerosis.
- Sulfatide-specific antibodies were also detected in SJL/J mice with acute experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE).
- Immunization of mice with sulfatide plus myelin peptide resulted in a more severe disease course of EAE, and administration of sulfatide-specific antibody exacerbated EAE.
In this
new study it was reported that
- Lipid-array analysis of (CSF) derived from individuals with multiple sclerosis showed that that antibodies targeted four lipids more often in MS patients than in the other groups.
- These four lipids were depleted at the sites where the nerve coatings were damaged-However the areas were demyelinated so no myelin, no myelin lipids (go figure)
- The four lipids — abbreviated as PGPC, azPC, azPC ester and POPS — share a similar phosphate (group of three oxygen molecules and a phosphorus molecule), to which the rogue antibodies bind.
- It is suggested that these these lipids are good lipids which act as brakes to immune function. Therefore the antibody response against them will stop the lipids from inhibiting the immune response and so cause damage when you do not produce enough of these lipids.
- They then supplement mice with MS-like disease with these lipids=fatty acids and there was some protection from the disease.
This study suggests that some lipids inhibit the immune response and that autoimmunity to the lipids stop the inhibitory effect of the lipids. This group is now specialising in finding "brakes"..the immunological mechanics...only time will tell if this idea is a race car or a junker.
On face value this suggests a new nutriceutical approach to treating autoimmunity, but before you start supplementing with lots of new fats, I would wait until there is evidence from clinical studies. I would also wait until someone independently repeats these studies. I say this because some of the neurological benefit reported was marginal and there appeared to be relapses in the treated groups and in my humble opinion the graphs sometimes told a different picture than the words, but best not say more or it will get me started.
The study aimed to provide a translational approach by sticking fatty acids intravenously before disease starts. This is not very translational and nor is the route of administration, surely we need to see oral administration. However, we are making many of these fatty acids and putting them in the blood as we get older, as we clog up our arteries with atherosclerosis.
We have been inducing EAE with whole tissue homogenate for years. Surely these are full of these fatty acids! So are the fatty acids really that immune inhibitory?
We have yet another nutriceutical that can stop EAE, but be warned there are plenty of studies that show eating a tub of lard can stop EAE. However let us hope the group follow this up and show us that they have a new treatment for MS.