Cytokines
Research has allowed science to study the inner workings of the immune system and the functioning of cytokines, which are proteins produced by T cells and other immune cells. Scientists hope to discover how they can block harmful cytokines and increase the production of protective cytokines in MS. Two drugs are currently being studied to this end: rolipram has been shown to reduce levels of several destructive cytokines in animal models of MS, and interleukin-4 (IL-4) may be able to influence developing T cells to become protective rather than harmful.
Question
Have scientists created an MS vaccine?
Early results from several studies looked promising, but it appears investigators have a long way to go before their hopes for an MS vaccine can come to fruition. One form of vaccination treatment involves extracting cells from each patient, purifying them and growing them in a culture before inactivating and chemically altering them.
