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09:41
Comprehensive Autopsy Program for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
Published on: July 19, 2019
Butyrylcholinesterase activity in multiple sclerosis neuropathology
Sultan Darvesh1, Andrea M Leblanc, Ian R Macdonald
1Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. sultan.darvesh@dal.ca
Chemico-Biological Interactions
|February 4, 2010
Summary
Butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) activity is altered in multiple sclerosis (MS) white matter lesions. This enzyme
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) hydrolyzes esters, including acetylcholine, impacting neurotransmission and immune cells.
- BuChE is present in brain white matter, neurons, and glia.
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a central nervous system autoimmune disease causing neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate BuChE activity in MS white matter lesions.
- To explore the role of BuChE in MS pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of BuChE activity in MS white matter lesions.
- Histological examination of enzyme activity and cell morphology.
Main Results:
- Diminished BuChE activity was observed associated with myelin.
- Increased BuChE activity was detected in cells exhibiting microglial morphology within lesions.
- BuChE activity alterations correlate with neuroinflammation and demyelination markers.
Conclusions:
- Altered BuChE activity in MS lesions may promote inflammation and demyelination.
- BuChE's role in acetylcholine hydrolysis and myelin protein deacylation contributes to MS pathology.
- BuChE represents a potential therapeutic target for MS disease modification.
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