From cells to space stations--vascular research continues

While astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti works high above our planet on the International Space Station---studying venous return in microgravity and utilizing Dr. Paolo Zamboni's technologies----cellular biologists are looking at the MS brain. The macrocosm and the microcosm of MS vascular research is happening right now!

New technologies are allowing researchers to view the MS brain at a cellular level, before formation of lesions.  I wanted to share three of these new papers, all published in the last month.

Please note that the researchers are cellular biologists---they are looking at the MS brain on the most basic level, and they all see the vascular links to the disease.  They are not studying MS to find out how immune modulating drugs work, they are trying to solve the mystery of what causes MS.  And they are all seeing a connection to blood flow and the blood brain barrier.

When neurologists tell you CCSVI research is over, please point them to the continuing, confirming research which is further elucidating the vascular connection to MS. 

If NASA can work directly with Dr. Paolo Zamboni, why won't neurologists?
NASA wants to understand why 20% of their astronauts are coming back to earth with neurological and visual issues, and how it's related to blood flow.  So, they went to the expert.
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/1278.html

Here are the brand new papers, all finding a link to MS and blood flow.

1.  The Role of Angiogenesis in the Pathology of MS
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4253611/

Cell biologists from the University of Irvine have noted how the loss of endothelial tight junctions in the blood brain barrier contributes to inflammation and angiogenesis (the growth of new blood vessels) in the MS brain,  and how this process is initiated by hypoxia.  This low oxygen state and resultant angiogenesis occurs prior to formation of demyelinating lesions.

This cellular research is further defining the hypothesis of cellular biologist Dr. Bernhard Juurlink, made in the 1990s.
http://ccsviinms.blogspot.com/2010/08/blood-flow-and-white-matter-lesions.html

It also fits in with my hypothesis of MS as a disease of hypoperfusion/reperfusion injury.
 http://ccsviinms.blogspot.com/2013/09/multiple-sclerosis-hypoperfusionreperfu.html


2. In vitro study of the direct effect of extracellular hemoglobin on myelin components.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25463632

The cellular biologists from the University of Guelph are looking at how blood particles damage myelin.  They are seeing microscopic deposits of hemoglobin in the MS brain, around the veins.  This blood contains iron, which when deposited into delicate brain tissue, begins a process of oxidative stress.

"This study provides new insight into the mechanism by which hemoglobin exerts its pathological oxidative activity towards myelin components. This work supports further research into the vascular pathology in MS, to gain insight into the origin and role of iron deposits in disease pathogenesis, or in stimulation of different comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease."

This work confirms the theory of Dr. Zamboni from 2006, called his "Big Idea" theory, which saw the similarities of venous disease to MS, by noting how blood particles caused damage to tissue via the iron found in our red blood cells.   http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1633548/

3.  Focal disturbances in the blood brain barrier are associated with formation of neuroinflammatory lesions

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25448765

Neurobiologists from the University of Montreal are seeing changes to the blood brain barrier which happen before immune cells enter the MS brain. There are changes to the tight junctions of endothelial cells. 

 Our findings suggest that BBB breach occurs before significant immune cell infiltration and demyelination.

I wanted to briefly highlight these new studies, and encourage all readers to pursue cardiovascular and endothelial health in 2015.  

The discoveries of endothelial dysfunction and the link to the breakdown of the blood brain barrier in MS are being made.  While we wait for the venoplasty and pharmaceutical solutions, there is much that can be accomplished with lifestyle changes.
http://ccsvi.org/index.php/helping-myself/endothelial-health

Happiest of holidays to all.  Here's to a healthy 2015.

Joan

Here is Samantha's view                                               Here is a microbiologist's view