Biography
Dr. Habil. Aleksandra Rutkowska is a Group Leader at the Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology. Her research team focuses on elucidating the cellular and molecular underpinnings of demyelinating, neuroinflammatory, and neurodegenerative diseases, with a particular focus on multiple sclerosis, aiming to identify novel strategies for remyelination and neuroprotection. Her work spans patient-derived immune cell studies, advanced in vitro models, and in vivo experiments, with a particular interest in oxysterol signaling and its therapeutic potential in multiple sclerosis. She is exploring how modulation of the EBI2/oxysterol pathway can influence immune cell trafficking, lipid metabolism in the brain, and repair mechanisms in neurodegenerative disease.
Title of presentation:
Immune Modulation and Lipid Synthesis: Dual Actions of a Fluorinated Oxysterol in Neurorepair
Highlights:
- 7α,25-OHC–EBI2 signaling regulates immune responses and myelination.
- CF₃-7α,25-OHC, a biostable analogue (half-life 10–12 h vs ~30 min for natural ligand), was developed for in vivo studies.
- Daily administration for two weeks in the cuprizone model accelerated remyelination in the cuprizone model of MS, upregulated lipids in the brain, and reduced lymphocyte counts in blood and brain.
- Ongoing work distinguishes EBI2 vs LXR contributions to these effects.
- Dual-action therapeutic potential: immunomodulation + pro-myelination via distinc EBI2 and LXR pathways.
Dr. Habil. Aleksandra Rutkowska