Event

Killam Seminar Series: Microglia in Multiple Sclerosis - Pathogenesis and Imaging

Tuesday, October 3, 2023 16:00to17:00

Montreal Neurological Institute de Grandpre Communications Centre, 3801 rue University, Montreal, QC, H3A 2B4, CA

Supported by the generosity of the Killam Trusts, the MNI's Killam Seminar Series invites outstanding guest speakers whose research is of interest to the scientific community at the MNI and McGill University.

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Laura Airas, PhD

Professor of Neuroimmunology, University of Turku, Finland

Host: Roberta La Piana

Abstract: Microglia normally protects the central nervous system (CNS) against insults. However, their persistent activation in multiple sclerosis (MS) contributes to injury. In my talk I will discuss microglia activation in MS and their detection using positron emission tomography (PET). During lesion evolution and the progression of MS, microglia activity may contribute to neurotoxicity through the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, reactive oxidative species, proteases and glutamate. A means to detect and monitor microglia activation in individuals living with MS is provided by PET imaging using the mitochondrial 18-kDa translocator protein (TSPO) ligand. TSPO PET imaging shows increased microglial activation both within the normal appearing white matter and at the edge of chronic lesions. PET-detected microglia activation increases with progression of MS. These findings demand the use of CNS penetrant inhibitors that affect microglia. Such therapies may include hydroxychloroquine that is recently reported in a small study to reduce the expected progression in primary progressive MS, and Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitors for which there are now eleven Phase 3 registered trials in MS.

Laura Airas

Professor Laura Airas is a clinician-scientist based in Turku, Finland. She is an MS specialist who consults at the Turku University Hospital Neurology clinic. She conducts research on progressive MS at Turku PET Centre. She has a special interest in elucidating the CNS pathology contributing to MS disease progression. Her research group uses a combination of advanced imaging, clinical phenotyping and soluble biomarker analysis to better understand the pathology leading to MS disability, with an overall aim to develop new efficient treatments for this undertreated condition.