Contributions
Abstract: EP1410
Type: ePoster
Abstract Category: Pathology and pathogenesis of MS - Pathology
The underpinning aetiology of relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) is considered to be immune-mediated, based on both experimental and clinical evidence. However much less is known about the underpinning aetiology of progression in multiple sclerosis (MS), both in patients presenting with primary progressive MS (PPMS) and secondary progressive MS (SPMS).
Not restricted to the analysis of particular proteins, nucleic acids and/or lipids, Raman spectroscopy presents a new approach towards biomarker research. It is based on the Raman Effect, the spontaneous inelastic light scattering process following the interaction of a monochromatic radiation (e.g. laser) with a sample; and results in highly sensitive spectra, which give a spectral "signature" or "fingerprint" reflecting the overall biochemical composition of the analysed sample. Despite being extensively used in the field of cancer research; Raman spectroscopy is currently under-explored in the study of MS pathology.
In this study, we investigated the differences between normal control and normal appearing white matter (NAWM) samples from MS cases. We examined white matter from primary progressive MS (PPMS) and secondary progressive MS (SPMS) cases and compared the findings with samples of white matter from healthy controls (10 cases each).
Snap-frozen post-mortem tissue samples (obtained from the UK Multiple Sclerosis Society Tissue Bank) were matched as far as possible for sex, age, post-mortem interval and localisation in the CNS. Samples were characterized by immunohistochemistry staining to ensure myelin was intact and assess the extent of any microglia activation, before an unstained serial section was subjected to Raman spectroscopy. In each sample, 25 different points in the white matter were recorded using a Raman DXR Microscope. Principal component analysis was used to highlight any differences within the dataset.
Results suggest it is possible to differentiate between control and MS NAWM without any staining or tagging of the samples, purely based on their Raman spectral profiles. This separation seems dominated by lipids and protein spectral bands, which enable separation between control and NAWM. In addition each aspect of the spectral fingerprint provides detailed chemical information on the samples that can provide insights into the disease process as well. Further analysis is currently undergoing to probe the differences between NAWM of PPMS and SPMS patients.
Disclosure: Funding from Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
I R Ramos: nothing to disclose
I ur Rehman: nothing to disclose
N Woodroofe: nothing to disclose
B Sharrack: nothing to disclose
Abstract: EP1410
Type: ePoster
Abstract Category: Pathology and pathogenesis of MS - Pathology
The underpinning aetiology of relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) is considered to be immune-mediated, based on both experimental and clinical evidence. However much less is known about the underpinning aetiology of progression in multiple sclerosis (MS), both in patients presenting with primary progressive MS (PPMS) and secondary progressive MS (SPMS).
Not restricted to the analysis of particular proteins, nucleic acids and/or lipids, Raman spectroscopy presents a new approach towards biomarker research. It is based on the Raman Effect, the spontaneous inelastic light scattering process following the interaction of a monochromatic radiation (e.g. laser) with a sample; and results in highly sensitive spectra, which give a spectral "signature" or "fingerprint" reflecting the overall biochemical composition of the analysed sample. Despite being extensively used in the field of cancer research; Raman spectroscopy is currently under-explored in the study of MS pathology.
In this study, we investigated the differences between normal control and normal appearing white matter (NAWM) samples from MS cases. We examined white matter from primary progressive MS (PPMS) and secondary progressive MS (SPMS) cases and compared the findings with samples of white matter from healthy controls (10 cases each).
Snap-frozen post-mortem tissue samples (obtained from the UK Multiple Sclerosis Society Tissue Bank) were matched as far as possible for sex, age, post-mortem interval and localisation in the CNS. Samples were characterized by immunohistochemistry staining to ensure myelin was intact and assess the extent of any microglia activation, before an unstained serial section was subjected to Raman spectroscopy. In each sample, 25 different points in the white matter were recorded using a Raman DXR Microscope. Principal component analysis was used to highlight any differences within the dataset.
Results suggest it is possible to differentiate between control and MS NAWM without any staining or tagging of the samples, purely based on their Raman spectral profiles. This separation seems dominated by lipids and protein spectral bands, which enable separation between control and NAWM. In addition each aspect of the spectral fingerprint provides detailed chemical information on the samples that can provide insights into the disease process as well. Further analysis is currently undergoing to probe the differences between NAWM of PPMS and SPMS patients.
Disclosure: Funding from Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
I R Ramos: nothing to disclose
I ur Rehman: nothing to disclose
N Woodroofe: nothing to disclose
B Sharrack: nothing to disclose