Since MSRI’s inception, Dr. Greenstein has completed the renovation of the MSRI laboratory and has made significant progress in identifying the cause of MS as well as developing a potential treatment. MSRI needs your help to take Dr. Greenstein’s research to the next level. Please consider purchasing an engraved tile to be placed in the MSRI Laboratory. The tile may honor a loved one, friend or the many lives affected by this disabling disease. Help MSRI FIND the cause, STOP the progression, and CURE MS.
The curious case of the JC virus
We have worked on the JC virus for many months to understand how this virus travels to the brain causing PML (Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy) a serious and potentially fatal infection which complicates a number of MS therapies including Tysabri, Tecfidera, Gilenya, Ocrevus and Lemtrada. This infection also complicates treatments for other autoimmune diseases, transplantation and chemotherapy; and is seen in different immune deficiencies and HIV-AIDS. There are at least 15 monoclonal antibody treatments for different conditions which are complicated by the JC virus.
Update November 2017
Jeffrey I. Greenstein, M.D.
President, MSRI
November 2, 2017
Dear Friend and Supporter,
I am pleased to give you an update on one of our research projects.
We have worked on the JC virus for many months to understand how this virus travels to the brain causing PML (Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy) a serious and potentially fatal infection which complicates a number of MS therapies including Tysabri, Tecfidera, Gilenya, Ocrevus and Lemtrada. This infection also complicates treatments for other autoimmune diseases, transplantation and chemotherapy; and is seen in different immune deficiencies and HIV-AIDS. There are at least 15 monoclonal antibody treatments for different conditions which are complicated by the JC virus.
Update December 2016
Jeffrey I. Greenstein, M.D.
President, MSRI
December 8, 2016
Dear Friend and Supporter,
As we approach the end of the year, I would like to give you an update on our research efforts at MSRI.
Dr. Yuenmu Chen joined us in September, bringing with him a wealth of experience in Molecular Biology and Molecular Pharmacology. He has already made a major contribution to our capacity to perform experiments using both his expertise and technical ability. I look forward to a long-term working relationship to FIND, STOP, and CURE MS.
MS Researcher Organizes Fundraiser for Added Staff
“Sorry for the delay,” said Dr. Jeffrey Greenstein in a smooth, lightly accented baritone, when he came to the phone after a few minutes. “We just got so engrossed in a problem in the lab, I totally forgot the time.”
Losing track of time in the lab is probably not an unfamiliar experience for Greenstein, who has devoted his professional life to treating and researching multiple sclerosis and remains as passionately interested in it now as he was as a medical student in his native South Africa.
“MS is the prime disabling neurologic condition of young adults,” Greenstein said in explaining why he’s devoted his life to ultimately finding a cure for the disease, which affects as many as 2.5 million people worldwide. “More than any other disease, this is a disease that disables people in their productive years.”
Watch Dr Greenstein’s interview on NBC10
Dr Greenstein was a guest at NBC10 on September 9, 2016.
Dr. Greenstein on NBC10 on Sept. 9th, 2016
Dr. Greenstein will be interviewed by Vai Sikahema on NBC10 at 11:45am on September 9th, 2016. He will discus MS research and the search for the cure.
Whither regulatory T-cells in MS?
Most data supports that the major culprit in the formation of Multiple Sclerosis is the T-cell, which is a white blood cell that plays a key role in the immune system. These cells are named after the small organ – the thymus gland – where they are produced. In particular, MS is an immune-mediated autoimmune disease caused, in all probability, by a defect in regulatory T-cells: cells which regulate, or maintain order in the immune system, and suppress immune responses either by cell-cell contact or by secreting cytokines (proteins) to regulate the extent of potentially damaging inflammation to the tissues of the body. Unrestrained activation of effector T cells (normally controlled by regulatory T cells) allows them to produce pro-inflammatory cytokines and recruit other inflammatory immune cells to a tissue causing damage such as myelin injury as seen in MS. The consequence of inflammation in MS, in all probability, is a chronic neurodegenerative process called Progressive MS, which is an additional level of complexity that is being intensively investigated.
MSRI Brochure
Dr. Greenstein’s background in Neurology, Neuropathy, Virology and Immunology will allow him to use his skills to focus on the central problem of the cause of MS and to develop more effective treatments.
The goal of MSRI is to perform the highest quality research and to provide outstanding education about this research in the field of Multiple Sclerosis. The research is focused on unraveling the etiology of this devastating disease while bringing us closer to new, more efficacious treatments.
Newsletter June 2015
I would like to welcome you to the first edition of FIND, STOP, CURE MS
I hope you will find this informative and thought provoking. I hope to amplify the various issues highlighted here in future editions.
Jeffrey Greenstein, M.D.
President, MSRI
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Causes of MS
Facts surrounding MS
Science behind autoimmune disease
Science in the context of MS