Download Dr - Experimental Medicine Program

Dr. Peter Rieckmann
* MD (University of Göttingen, Germany), FRCPC (Neurology)
* Professor, Medicine (Neurology)
Position: Professor, Medicine (Neurology); Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada
Research Chair; Director of the MS Program for UBC and VCH
Email: [email protected]
Address: Brain Research Centre & Division of Neurology, UBC Hospital, 2211
Wesbrook Mall, Rm. S113-116, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5
Tel.: 604-822-7403 or 604-827-3111 (Secretary)
Research Description:
My research is focussed on the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis and
related diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). This includes regulation
of immune cells, functional aspects of the blood brain barrier and extended
phenotype/genotype interaction during the course of disease. Multiple
sclerosis is still a leading course for permanent disability in young adults. An
imbalance of auto-aggressive immune reactions and impaired endogenous
repair mechanisms is one likely explanation, but we still do not completely
understand the relevant components and their interactions in this scenario.
Studying disease modifying genes in MS we identified co-stimulatory
molecules, like CTLA-4 and PD-1 as potential candidates having an impact on
the course of the disease. The neurotrophic factor, CNTF, was demonstrated
to be associated with better recovery after attacks and in the EAE model was
associated with better outcome and less axonal damage. Currently, our
research is orchestrated around the blood brain barrier - the important
interphase between immune system and CNS. We have identified specific
genes in cerebro-endothelial cells as mediators of immune cell migration and
potential modulator of regenerative processes within the brain.
Current research projects involve:
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Adhesion molecules and tight junction proteins involved in
transendothelial migration of immune cells
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Genetic control of axonal damage in multiple sclerosis
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Stimulation of endogenous repair mechanisms in multiple sclerosis
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Cost of illness and social situation of MS patients
Key words: Multiple Sclerosis, neuroimmunology, blood brain barrier, stem
cells, regeneration
Selected References:
Mäurer, M., Loserth, S., Kolb-Mäurer, A., Ponath, A., Wiese, S., Kruse, N., Rieckmann, P. A
polymorphism in the human cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) gene (exon 1 +49) alters Tcell activation Immunogenetics 54: 1-8, 2002.
Mäurer M, Ponath A, Kruse N, Rieckmann P. CTLA4 exon 1 dimorphism is associated with primary
progressive multiple sclerosis. J. Neuroimmunol. 131, 213-215, 2002.
Gieß, R., Mäurer, M., Gold, R., Toyka, K.V., Sendtner, M., Rieckmann, P. A null mutation in the CNTF
gene is associated with early onset of multiple sclerosis Arch. Neurol 59, 407-409, 2002.
Kallmann B, Wagner S, Hummel V, Buttmann M, Bayas A, Tonn JC, Rieckmann P. Characteristic
gene expression profile of human cerebral endothelial cells. FASEB Journal 16, 589-591, 2002.
Linker R, Mäurer M, Gaupp S, Martini R, Holtmann B, Giess R, Rieckmann P, Lassmann H, Toyka
KV, Sendtner M, Gold R. CNTF is a major protective factor in demyelinating CNS disease: a
neurotrophic cytokine as modulator in neuroinflammation. Nature Med. 8, 620-624, 2002.
Bayas A, Hummel V, Kallmann B, Karch C, Toyka KV, Rieckmann P. Human cerebral endothelial cells
are a potential source for bioactive BDNF. Cytokine 19, 55-58, 2002.
Bayas A, Kruse N, Moriabadi N, Weber F, Hummel V, Wohlleben G, Gold R, Toyka KV, Rieckmann P.
Modulation of cytokine mRNA expression by brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve
growth factor (NGF) in human immune cells. Neurosci. Lett. 335, 155-158, 2003.
Flachencker P, Rieckmann P. Health outcomes in multiple sclerosis. Curr. Opin. Neurol. 17: 257-261,
2004.
Kroner A, Mehling M, Hemmer B, Toyka KV, Mäurer M, Rieckmann P, Wiendl H. A regulatory
polymorphism in the Programmed Death 1 Gene (PD-1) impairs counterinhibition of T cell activation
and is associated with disease progression in Multiple Sclerosis. Ann. Neurol. 58, 50-57, 2005.
Ruprecht K, Obojes K, Wengel V, Gronen F, Kim KS, Perron H, Schneider-Schaulies J, Rieckmann P.
Regulation of human endogenous retrovirus-W protein expression by herpes simplex virus type 1:
Implications for the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis. J. Neurovirol. 12; 65-72, 2006.
Gronen F, Ruprecht K, Weissbrich B, Klinker E, Kroner A, Hofstetter HH, Rieckmann P.Frequency
analysis of HLA-B7-restricted Epstein-Barr virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes in patients with
multiple sclerosis and healthy controls. J Neuroimmunol. 180; 185-92, 2006.
Buttmann M, Lorenz A, Weishaupt A, Rieckmann P. Atorvastatin partially prevents an inflammatory
barrier breakdown of cultured human brain endothelial cells at a pharmacologically relevant
concentration. J Neurochem. 102; 1001-8, 2007