Jonathan Kipnis
Recent data generated in the Kipnis lab has demonstrated that immune system and in particular T-cells, are needed for normal brain function. As some of the things they are needed for seem to be impaired in Rett Syndrme, Kipnis hypothesizes that a malfunction in adaptive immune cells, (T-cells in particular) in Rett patients, contributes in some part to some aspects of disease progression. Thus if T-cell function is improved, the disease may be improved and some of the symptoms ameliorated.
Dr Kipnis will try four different methods of immune modulation in the mouse models of Rett, the major of which are bone marrow transplantation, (to 'fix' the immunity in Rett mice) and injection of the sick Rett mice with uniquely active myeloid cells. We hope that one of these methods will have a positive outcome for the mouse models and will then be translated to clinical use.
Further information about this work, please read:
From Bones, to Brains to Breaking New Ground in Rett Research
Yet Another Door Opens: Neuroimmunology
This project was part funded through the Big Give Christmas Challenge 2010 and 2011
