Skin-sensing of environmental factors and their impact on the development of multiple sclerosis (A10)

• Subject Area: Clinical Neurology; Neurosurgery and Neuroradiology
• Term: from 2016 to 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 213904703

In EAE and in a small proof-of-concept study, we characterized immune modulating consequences of UV light and were able to identify the critical relevance of two druggable receptors/transcription factors: melanocortin-1 receptor (MC-1R) and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) that are responsible for the beneficial effect of UV light. Moreover, we deduced the MC 1R ligand NDP-MSH as an environment mimetic and will now further develop NDP-MSH-containing microparticles towards a potential clinical application as an adjuvant therapeutic. Preclinical studies will be paralleled by investigations in MS patients as well as an exploratory intervention using UV-phototherapy.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 128: Initiating/Effector versus Regulatory Mechanisms in Multiple Sclerosis - Progress towards Tackling the Disease
• Applicant Institution: Universität Münster
• Project Heads: Professorin Dr. Karin Loser; Professor Dr. Heinz Wiendl