Women are three times more likely to develop multiple sclerosis, yet the reasons behind this disparity remain poorly understood
An Irish researcher has been awarded a major grant to investigate why women are up to three times more likely than men to develop multiple sclerosis.
Dr Éanna Fennell of University College Cork has been awarded €2.1 million by Wellcome Trust, a global charitable foundation supporting scientific research.
His study will examine whether the X chromosome plays a role in this difference by influencing the immune response to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which is strongly linked to the development of MS.
“By bringing together genetics, immunology and sophisticated models, we hope to better understand the mechanisms driving the disease and identify new opportunities for therapeutic intervention” said Dr Fennell.
MS is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system damages the protective coating surrounding nerves in the brain and spinal cord. Approximately 160,000 people across Ireland and the UK are living with MS, which can significantly affect quality of life and reduce life expectancy.
Women are up to three times more likely than men to develop MS, yet the biological mechanisms behind this striking difference remain poorly understood.
Dr Fennell and his team, based in the Department of Pathology within UCC’s School of Medicine, will study immune cells from people with MS and use genetic engineering to introduce or correct specific genetic differences in laboratory-grown cells.
UCC Vice President for Research and Innovation Prof John F. Cryan congratulated Dr Fennell on winning the prestigious award.
“His work will combine research in genetics and immunology to give a better understanding of MS, provide a new framework for understanding sex differences in MS and lead to new pathways that can be targeted for more effective therapeutic strategies,” he said.
Wellcome Trust Awards are granted to scientists with the potential to become international research leaders. They support ambitious and innovative research programmes designed to deliver significant shifts in understanding of human life, health and wellbeing.