Ceramide and ceramide synthase in the diagnosis and treatment of multiple sclerosis

摘要

A method of diagnosis and/or monitoring the progression of autoimmune disease, specifically multiple sclerosis, comprising the use of ceramide and/or ceramide synthase, specifically C16-Cer and CerS6, as biomarkers for monitoring the onset and development of the disease. Also claimed are inhibitors of ceramide synthase and antagonists of ceramide for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, a method for screening compounds capable of preventing and/or alleviating the clinical symptoms of an autoimmune disease as well as compounds identifed by the screening method and their use in treating multiple sclerosis.