New potential drug targets for multiple sclerosis identified
A new study published in the journal PNAS by researchers at the Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, has identified 18 potential drug targets for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. The study may pave the way for new treatment strategies and drug development.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, causing demyelination and degeneration. Although there are disease-modifying treatments that can reduce the number of relapses and delay disability, specific and effective treatment options are still lacking, especially for progressive MS.
In the current study, the researchers used an integrative analytical approach to investigate hundreds of MS-associated proteins in plasma and brain tissue. By combining data from proteomic, genomic, and transcriptomic studies, they were able to prioritize 18 potential drug targets - nine in plasma and nine in the brain.
The researchers identified complex interactions between seven of these 18 proteins and 19 known drug targets for MS, as well as interactions among 11 of these proteins within and between plasma and brain. Additionally, they found that 16 existing drugs not currently used for MS may target six of these potential targets.
"Our results demonstrate significant potential for both the discovery of new drugs and the repurposing of existing ones," says Yuan Jiang, PhD student at the Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet. "By integrating large-scale omics data and applying advanced statistical methods, we have been able to prioritize drug targets that may improve the treatment of MS."
The study was conducted in collaboration with researchers from various institutions, including the West China School of Public Health and the Centre for Molecular Medicine at Karolinska Institutet. The research was funded by the Horizon Europe WISDOM project, the Swedish Research Council, the Swedish Brain Foundation, the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, and Region Stockholm.
Publication
Multi-omics integration prioritizes potential drug targets for multiple sclerosis, Yuan Jiang, Qianwen Liu, Pernilla Stridh, Xia Jiang, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), online 27 June 2025, doi: 10.1073/pnas.2425537122.