Glial Cells Express Nuclear Nrf2 After Fumarate Treatment For Multiple Sclerosis And Psoriasis

BG12 (Tecfidera) is an oral medication composed of dimethyl fumarate (DMF) that has been approved for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). DMF has anti-inflammatory but also putative neuroprotective mechanisms of action. Neuroprotection is hypothesized to be mediated by activation of the nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-related factor 2 (Nrf2) antioxidant pathway. Nrf2 nuclear translocation was shown in neurons, oligodendrocytes, and astrocytes in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, an animal model of MS, as well as in astrocytes in vitro after DMF application.1,2 This nuclear translocation of the transcription …