The role of fibronectin in multiple sclerosis and the effect of drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier.

Abstract

Remyelination failure is one of the main characteristics of multiple sclerosis and is potentially correlated with disease progression. Previous research has shown that the extracellular matrix is associated with remyelination failure because remodeling of the matrix often fails in both chronic and progressive multiple sclerosis. Fibronectin aggregates are assembled and persistently exist in chronic multiple sclerosis, thus inhibiting remyelination. Although many advances have been made in the mechanisms and treatment of multiple sclerosis, it remains very difficult for drugs to reach pathological brain tissues; this is due to the complexity of brain structure and function, especially the existence of the blood-brain barrier. Therefore, herein, we review the effects of fibronectin aggregates on multiple sclerosis and the efficacy of different forms of drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier in the treatment of this disease.