Chewing the fat on an emerging target in multiple sclerosis.

Chai K Lim

doi:10.1016/j.ebiom.2021.103603

Abstract

In this article of EBioMedicine, An Cheng and colleagues show that blocking the function of fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs) pharmacologically, alleviates the severity of the inflammatory demyelinating neurological condition in the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model [1]. Suggesting that targeting lipid metabolism may be a viable therapeutic strategy against several pathological hallmarks of multiple sclerosis (MS). To appreciate this finding, we need to examine the role of FABP and its relationship with MS.

Highlights

In this article of EBioMedicine, An Cheng and colleagues show that blocking the function of fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs) pharmacologically, alleviates the severity of the inflammatory demyelinating neurological condition in the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model [1]
Fatty acids are known to be involved in the inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction
The authors go on to provide direct evidence that FABP5 and 7 inhibition limit oxidative stress-induced damage in EAE by targeting reactive microglia and protecting oligodendrocytes; these are considered as key strategies in limiting multiple sclerosis (MS) progression

Summary

Introduction

In this article of EBioMedicine, An Cheng and colleagues show that blocking the function of fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs) pharmacologically, alleviates the severity of the inflammatory demyelinating neurological condition in the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model [1]. Suggesting that targeting lipid metabolism may be a viable therapeutic strategy against several pathological hallmarks of multiple sclerosis (MS). The presence of proinflammation brought about by reactive T cells, microglia and astrocytes, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction that perpetuate degeneration of neurons and glial cells, including oligodendrocytes, are common hallmarks of early MS.

Results

Conclusion