Zebrafish: A Great Species That Could Help Find MS Drugs

The zebrafish is utilized by scientists all over the world as a model organism because it may be used to investigate crucial physiological processes that occur similarly in the human body.

As a result, it is frequently employed in the search for potential therapeutic agents. Researchers have already provided a creative method for doing this.

Finding medicines for MS with the help of fish

(Photo : Kayla Hatwood/Unsplash)

Prof. Dr. Benjamin Odermatt from the Institute of Anatomy at the University Hospital Bonn stated that for instance, they are looking into how zebrafish heal damaged nerve tissue at the University of Bonn.

Since many of the genes associated with this process are also present in humans in a similar manner, this is also something that interests us, as per ScienceDaily.

Agents that increase those repair genes in fish may theoretically potentially increase their activity in humans. However, there are frequently large genetic disparities between humans and fish.

They searched for the zebrafish equivalent of a human gene known to aid in nerve cell healing. The human equivalent was then implanted in place of this fish counterpart.

The original zebrafish gene was replaced by the new genetic material. In their preliminary investigation of the so-called GPR17 receptor, the researchers showed that this replacement is effective.

Its excessive activation in people can result in illnesses like multiple sclerosis (MS). Electrical signals are used by nerve cells to communicate.

Myelin, a lipid-like material, acts as a sort of insulating coating around their expansions. It also considerably speeds up the transfer of impulses while preventing short circuits.

Oligodendrocytes are specialist cells that create this protective coating. These have numerous long arms that protrude from their cell bodies, the majority of which are made of myelin, resembling a microscopic octopus.

However, in multiple sclerosis, the myelin layer is destroyed by the body's own immune system. This system is broken in multiple sclerosis, leaving many cellular insulating tape donor cells in an immature stage.

This seems to be mostly attributable to the GPR17 receptor, which delays oligodendrocyte formation when triggered by a chemical signal.

Substances are first examined in cell cultures in the search for new active components. Even if they succeed, human testing can have depressing results.

Benjamin Odermatt argues that humanized zebrafish larvae make it possible to screen a wide range of chemicals quickly and with a high possibility of success.

Read More: Scientists Discover Four New Risk Genes Linked with Multiple Sclerosis

Things to know about multiple sclerosis

The central nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves, is impacted by the chronic condition known as multiple sclerosis. This can cause a variety of symptoms to manifest throughout the body, as per Medical News Today.

Though scientists are unsure of the actual cause of MS, researchers do concur that it is an autoimmune condition that affects the central nervous system (CNS).

The immune system assaults healthy tissue whenever an individual has an autoimmune disease, just as it could attack a virus or bacteria.

In MS, inflammation results from the immune system attacking the myelin sheath, which covers and shields the nerve fibers. The nerves' ability to swiftly and effectively conduct electrical signals is enabled by myelin.

Sclerosis, or a scar, results from the myelin sheath disappearing or being damaged in several places. These regions are also referred to by doctors as plaques or lesions.

Nerve fibers may rupture or suffer damage as more lesions appear. The electrical impulses from the brain don't really reach the target nerve smoothly as a result. This implies that the body is unable to do some tasks.

Related Article: Toolkit to Modify Zebrafish Genome and Make Them Research-Ready