Genetics

This blog post examines the multifaceted role of myelin lipids in multiple sclerosis, drawing on the review by Podbielska and Hogan. It explains how cholesterol, phospholipids, gangliosides, sulfatides and other glycosphingolipids contribute not only to the structural stability of the myelin sheath but also to immune recognition, inflammatory signalling and remyelination. Particular attention is given to lipid-specific antibodies, CD1-mediated antigen presentation, glycolipid-reactive NKT cells and the therapeutic potential of lipid-targeted immunomodulation. By integrating membrane biochemistry with neuroimmunology, the article presents myelin lipids as active determinants of disease progression, biomarkers and possible mediators of neural repair.