Red blood cells, sickle shaped (Sickle Cell Disease) ©Inserm/Chevance de Boisfleury, Anne-Marie

Wednesday 19 June 2019 is World Sickle Cell Disease Day.

This is the most widespread genetic disorder in the world: It affects over five million people⁽¹⁾. It can have serious consequences—anaemia, episodes of pain—and may involve different organs or reduced resistance to certain infections.

From the physiological point of view, this disease of the blood is characterised by altered haemoglobin. Haemoglobin is the main constituent of the red blood cell. It is responsible for oxygen transport in the bloodstream, and its distribution to all the organs. The red blood cell becomes deformed, assumes a sickle shape (see illustration), and can no longer circulate through the blood vessels.

Research on sickle cell disease is currently aimed at improving treatments, by gene therapy and other means. Researchers are also studying the molecular mechanisms of the disease and the behaviour of abnormal haemoglobin.

Source (1): orphanet.fr

Multiple sclerosis ©Inserm/RIEGER F

World MS Day 2019 will take place on 30 May.

The 2019 campaign is called ‘My Invisible MS’ and the theme is visibility.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. It causes the progressive destruction of the myelin sheath surrounding the nerve cells, which is essential for their protection and for the transmission of nerve impulses, leading to motor, sensory, and cognitive disruption.

Inserm teams are mobilized to further research into MS.

At present, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is widely used to diagnose and follow up patients with the disease. However, no imaging tools exist to predict the onset of relapse.

Researchers from the “SpPrIng” team, led by Fabian Docagne at Inserm Unit 1237 in Caen, France, have developed an MRI technique in which the progression of the disease can be followed in space and time in a murine model of MS. To do this, they used MRI-detectable iron beads that bind to the adhesion molecules.

The ability to effectively repair myelin is a key factor in countering the progression of MS. Understanding why and how some patients are able to better manage the disease than others is essential.

©Inserm/ Delapierre, Patrick

26th International Fibromyalgia Awareness Day

Recognized as a rheumatic disease by the WHO in 1992, fibromyalgia is characterized by chronic widespread and persistent pain occurring in multiple areas of the body. This affects functional capacity, which varies over time and from individual to individual.

According to the French National Authority for Health (HAS), between 1.4% and 2.2% of the country’s population are considered to be affected, with 80% of those diagnosed being women.

In addition, sufferers very frequently experience chronic fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, attention and sleep disorders, as well as mood disturbances. These symptoms that are associated with the chronic pain encountered in fibromyalgia can negatively impact daily living activities. Sufferers may find it difficult to hold down a job, for example, or their family or social lives may be affected, which can in turn lead to depression.

In addition to being difficult to diagnose, many attempts have been made to treat fibromyalgia, involving medication and other types of therapy.

A collective expert review by Inserm on fibromyalgia, commissioned by the Direction Générale de la Santé (French Department of Health), is currently being carried out. The results will be published by the end of the year.

Committed to improving the diagnosis of fibromyalgia and the management of the associated chronic pain, the researchers at Inserm are available to answer your questions.

Monday, May 28 is World MS Day.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. It causes the progressive destruction of the myelin sheath surrounding the nerve cells, which is essential for their protection and for the transmission of nerve impulses, leading to motor, sensory, and cognitive disruption.

The ability to effectively repair myelin is a key factor in controlling the progression of the disease.

Inserm teams are mobilized to further research into MS.

At present, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is widely used to diagnose and follow up patients with the disease. However, no imaging tools exist to predict the onset of relapse.

Researchers from the “SpPrIng” team, led by Fabian Docagne at Inserm Unit 1237 in Caen, France, have developed an MRI technique in which the progression of the disease can be followed in space and time in a murine model of MS. To do this, they used MRI-detectable iron beads that bind to the adhesion molecules.

The ability to effectively repair myelin is a key factor in countering the progression of MS. Understanding why and how some patients are able to better manage the disease than others is essential.

To gain a better understanding of the phenomenon, Inserm researchers transplanted lymphocytes from healthy donors or MS patients into the demyelinated lesions in the spinal cord of mice. The study of lymphocytes from patients with strong capacities for remyelination is a promising route to the development of new myelin regeneration strategies.

Tuesday May 1 is World Asthma Day – a day to educate and raise public awareness to improve the diagnosis and treatment of asthma.

Asthma is a respiratory disease that can be brought on by pollution, various allergies or genetic predisposition. It affects 9% of children, and those under the age of 15 account for over 65% of hospitalizations for the condition. Asthma remains under-diagnosed and insufficiently treated. Although often trivialized, it is responsible for 900 deaths per year in France.

During an attack, the walls of the airways swell, which causes them to narrow and make breathing difficult. These symptoms can also occur with physical effort or strong emotions such as anger or fear.

Recently, a team from Inserm and the CNRS has demonstrated that allergic asthma is triggered by the hyperactivity of a protein called interleukin 33. Being able to block this mechanism would therefore make it possible to develop new treatments.

Committed to improving the diagnosis and treatment of this chronic disease, Inserm researchers are available to answer your questions – particularly regarding its risk factors, development and existing treatments.