A study of the protein that prevents gum disease side effects may mean good news for MS patients, according to healthline.com.

In a new research, scientists at the University of Pennsylvania School have discovered that a protein previously found to decrease inflammation and bone loss related to gum disease, also blocks relapses in mice with a condition similar to multiple sclerosis (MS), noted Jeri Burtchell @FingoHead in her story.

The molecule under discussion: Del-1.

George Hajishengallis

George Hajishengallis, a professor of microbiology in Penn’s School of Dental Medicine and an author on the study,  has found that gum tissue affected by periodontitis,  a severe form of gum disease — had lower levels of Del-1 than healthy tissue. Administering Del-1 directly to the gums protected against these effects.

Because Del-1 has been found to be associated with susceptibility to not only multiple sclerosis, but also Alzheimer’s, it’s possible that a properly functioning version of this protein might help guard again that disease’s effects as well.

“It’s amazing that our work in periodontitis have found application in a central nervous system disease,” Hajishengallis said in a press release. “This shows that periodontitis can be a paradigm for other medically important inflammatory diseases.”

Read Burtchell’s story at: https://www.healthline.com/health-news/protein-blocks-ms-relapses-cures-gum-disease-111914#1

Read about the study in Penn News: https://www.upenn.edu/pennnews/news/collaborative-penn-dresden-study-blocks-multiple-sclerosis-relapses-mice