We aim to reveal novel fundamental insights about the role of extracellular vesicles in different aspects of MS pathogenesis, thereby aiding the identification of new biomarkers, as well as novel therapeutic targets

In multiple sclerosis (MS), several questions about why the vessels in the protective blood-brain barrier (BBB) become leaky and why immune cells invade the brain are still unanswered. Scientists have recently shown that stressed cells communicate with each other by releasing tiny bubbles, known as extracellular vesicles (EV), packed with important biological information. These EV can cross the BBB, suggesting their potential role in the pathological progression of MS. We have recently shown that EV are actively involved in the disruption of the BBB. In this project, we will investigate whether EV are the key mediators of intercellular interactions in the MS brain and whether they contribute to brain damage. Results obtained from this study will lead to better knowledge of the disease, which might help to identify new biomarkers, as well as novel therapeutic targets