Autoimmune disease

Mouse studies suggest the PKCE activator bryostatin-1 could help treat MS. In the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model of MS, administration of bryostatin-1 at the onset of muscle weakness decreased the numbers of inflammatory T helper type 1 (Th1) and Th17 cells in the lymph nodes and decreased motor deficits and clinical disease score compared with vehicle. Also in the model, bryostatin-1 administered after motor deficits had stabilized also decreased motor deficits and disease score. Next steps include determining whether bryostatin-1 promotes remyelination in models of MS and seeking industry partners to test the compound in progressive MS patients...