The Monoselective Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Receptor-1 Modulator Ponesimod Enhances Remyelination in the Cuprizone Model of Demyelination

Abstract

Background: Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P1) receptor modulators are used clinically to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). Selective functional antagonism of the S1PR1 subtype by ponesimod prevents lymphocyte egression from lymph nodes, hence hampering neuroinflammation in MS. Recent findings suggest a potential additional role for ponesimod in the Central Nervous System (CNS) in the differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPC) into mature myelinating oligodendrocytes, and therefore potentially having some effects on remyelination.