LINGO-1 is a natural protein that inhibits
oligodendrocyte* function and therefore prevents remyelination. In animal studies loss of
LINGO-1 function by deleting the gene or by treating the animal with an antibody that blocks
LINGO-1 function leads to recovery from experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, the animal model of MS. Electron microscopy demonstrated newly formed myelin sheaths. Blocking
LINGO-1 or its pathway is therefore a very promising approach to promote remyelination in MS.
"Anti-LINGO-1 is now in a phase 1b study in MS'ers; this is a very exciting development! Would you not agree?"
CoI: I have consulted in the past for Biogen-Idec who are developing this drug.