Comments on: Preserving Nerves http://www.scienceline.org/2008/12/26/health-bond-multiple-sclerosis-klk6/ The Shortest Distance Between You and Science Sat, 20 Mar 2010 17:45:26 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Allison Bond http://www.scienceline.org/2008/12/26/health-bond-multiple-sclerosis-klk6/comment-page-1/#comment-2588 Allison Bond Mon, 29 Dec 2008 14:38:36 +0000 http://scienceline.org/2008/12/26/health-bond-multiple-sclerosis-klk6/#comment-2588 Hi JenniferRedmond, We don't go extremely in-depth in our articles because many of our readers may not have your background knowledge. I touched on your questions in the article but am happy to offer clarification. KLK6 is not a "birth defect" but rather is an enzyme naturally produced both in humans and in animals, such as mice. An enzyme is a protein that speeds up a process without itself actually being used up; in this case, the process being accelerated is the breakdown of the fatty covering of brain cells. Just as scientists don't know why certain people develop MS, they aren't sure why some people have elevated levels of KLK6 in their bloodstream--they've just seen that these levels correlate with having MS and with the severity of MS symptoms. You can read more about KLK6 and Scarisbrick's team at http://www.mayoclinic.org/news2008-rst/4988.html?mc-emref=y. Hi JenniferRedmond,

We don’t go extremely in-depth in our articles because many of our readers may not have your background knowledge. I touched on your questions in the article but am happy to offer clarification.

KLK6 is not a “birth defect” but rather is an enzyme naturally produced both in humans and in animals, such as mice. An enzyme is a protein that speeds up a process without itself actually being used up; in this case, the process being accelerated is the breakdown of the fatty covering of brain cells. Just as scientists don’t know why certain people develop MS, they aren’t sure why some people have elevated levels of KLK6 in their bloodstream–they’ve just seen that these levels correlate with having MS and with the severity of MS symptoms.

You can read more about KLK6 and Scarisbrick’s team at http://www.mayoclinic.org/news2008-rst/4988.html?mc-emref=y.

]]> By: gregg http://www.scienceline.org/2008/12/26/health-bond-multiple-sclerosis-klk6/comment-page-1/#comment-2572 gregg Fri, 26 Dec 2008 17:57:21 +0000 http://scienceline.org/2008/12/26/health-bond-multiple-sclerosis-klk6/#comment-2572 I think this is a great step for those of us suffering from MS. Being able to measure KLK6 levels and monitor the disease's progression can only lead to more information and a possible breakthrough. Thank you for sharing this with the general public. The more that is written about the illness, the greater chance there will be funding and (hopefully) an eventual cure. I think this is a great step for those of us suffering from MS. Being able to measure KLK6 levels and monitor the disease’s progression can only lead to more information and a possible breakthrough. Thank you for sharing this with the general public. The more that is written about the illness, the greater chance there will be funding and (hopefully) an eventual cure.

]]> By: JenniferRedmond http://www.scienceline.org/2008/12/26/health-bond-multiple-sclerosis-klk6/comment-page-1/#comment-2570 JenniferRedmond Fri, 26 Dec 2008 17:37:10 +0000 http://scienceline.org/2008/12/26/health-bond-multiple-sclerosis-klk6/#comment-2570 Is it not possible in these articles to be a bit more down to earth. I realize that it is written from scientific publication but when reproduced for general consumption, can the article not be fleshed out a bit. Most of us with MS have gotten pretty good at reading techno speak while researching our disease, we still do not quite have our diplomas. So, on that tack, would it be possible to say slightly less specifically what KLK6 is or is not? Is it produced just in human bodies? Do we make it ourselves or do we make more or less KLK6 by our own activities or diet? Is it a "birth defect" for lack of better description? It really would be helpful if these re-writes included more info on the specific research target such as KLK6 in this instance. Is it not possible in these articles to be a bit more down to earth. I realize that it is written from scientific publication but when reproduced for general consumption, can the article not be fleshed out a bit. Most of us with MS have gotten pretty good at reading techno speak while researching our disease, we still do not quite have our diplomas. So, on that tack, would it be possible to say slightly less specifically what KLK6 is or is not? Is it produced just in human bodies? Do we make it ourselves or do we make more or less KLK6 by our own activities or diet? Is it a “birth defect” for lack of better description?
It really would be helpful if these re-writes included more info on the specific research target such as KLK6 in this instance.

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