Mechanisms of neuronal damage in multiple sclerosis and its animal models: Role of calcium pumps and exchangers

M. P. Kurnellas, K. C. Donahue, S. Elkabes

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory, demyelinating and neurodegenerative disorder of the central nervous system. Increasing evidence indicates that neuronal pathology and axonal injury are early hallmarks of multiple sclerosis and are major contributors to progressive and permanent disability. Yet, the mechanisms underlying neuronal dysfunction and damage are not well defined. Elucidation of such mechanisms is of critical importance for the development of therapeutic strategies that will prevent neurodegeneration and confer neuroprotection. PMCA2 (plasma-membrane Ca2+-ATPase 2) and the NCX (Na+/Ca2+ exchanger) have been implicated in impairment of axonal and neuronal function in multiple sclerosis and its animal models. As PMCA2 and NCX play critical roles in calcium extrusion in cells, alterations in their expression or activity may affect calcium homoeostasis and thereby induce intracellular injury mechanisms. Interventions that restore normal PMCA2 and NCX activity may prevent or slow disease progression by averting neurodegeneration.

Original languageAmerican English
Pages (from-to)923-926
Number of pages4
JournalBiochemical Society transactions
Volume35
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2007

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry

Keywords

  • Calcium dyshomoeostasis
  • Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Neurodegeneration
  • Plasma-membrane Ca-ATPase (PMCA)

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