Research summary
The brain and spinal cord, which make up the body’s central nervous system, are protected from the actions of the body’s immune system by their own immune cells, called microglia. When injury or disease damages the central nervous system, microglia and other glial cells respond to protect the brain, restore normal function, and even promote repair. But sometimes, this immune response can damage healthy cells. Dr. Jason Plemel’s goal is to find ways to direct the central nervous system’s immune response so as to maximize repair and minimize further damage.
As Canada Research Chair in Glial Neuroimmunology, he is studying how glial cells—particularly microglia—develop and behave in diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS). He and his research team are identifying how microglia change and respond during the different stages of MS. Their goal is to find new ways to elicit a more favourable microglia response to protect brain health.