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Insight into the mechanism of action of dimethyl fumarate in multiple sclerosis

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Abstract

Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) is an oral, disease-modifying agent for the treatment of relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). However, details regarding its mode of action are still emerging. It is believed that the mode of action of DMF involves both nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-related factor (Nrf2)–dependent and independent pathways, which lead to an anti-inflammatory immune response due to type II myeloid cell and Th2 cell differentiation and neuroprotection. In this review, we will focus on the molecular and signaling effects of DMF that lead to changes in peripheral immune cell composition and function, alteration in CNS cell-specific functions, and effect on the blood-brain barrier.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Tania Atanassova and Sasha Elizar for their critical comments on this review.

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  1. Department of Neurology, Rutgers–Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA

    Sudhir Kumar Yadav, Devika Soin, Kouichi Ito & Suhayl Dhib-Jalbut

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  1. Sudhir Kumar Yadav
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Correspondence to Suhayl Dhib-Jalbut.

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S D-J received grant support from Teva Pharmaceuticals and Biogen Idec., and also serves as a consultant to TEVA, Bayer, Serono, Genentech and Genzyme. KI received financial support for research activities from Teva Pharmaceuticals and Biogen Idec.

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Yadav, S.K., Soin, D., Ito, K. et al. Insight into the mechanism of action of dimethyl fumarate in multiple sclerosis. J Mol Med 97, 463–472 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00109-019-01761-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00109-019-01761-5

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