Use of induced pluripotent stem cells to model inflammatory neurodegeneration and repair in multiple sclerosis

Abstract Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neuroinflammatory condition characterized by demyelination and neurodegeneration. Currently, the pathogenesis of MS is not well understood. Animal experiments have previously been used to model the mechanisms behind CNS repair in MS, but interspecies differences pose limitations to studying the disease process in humans. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have more recently generated great enthusiasm as a mechanism to model neuroinflammatory conditions with findings that translate well to humans. Challenges of modeling MS with iPSCs include lack of known genetic variants in oligodendrocytes and neurons, limited supply of cell lines, and varying disease phenotypes present in MS patients. The purpose of this chapter is to outline the progress of using iPSCs to model MS, discuss the challenges within the field, and highlight future directions for modeling MS with iPSCs.