Das Prodekanat für Forschung würdigt jeden Monat UKE Autorinnen und Autoren einer herausragenden Publikation, die in den vorangegangenen 2 Monaten hochrangig publiziert wurde. Ziel ist es, die am UKE enstandenen Forschungsergebnisse mit ihrer Bedeutung in der Wissenschaft einer größeren Öffentlichkeit am UKE vorzustellen. Der Aufruf zur Teilnahme richtet sich an Wissenschaftlerinnen und Wissenschaftler aller Fachgebiete. Einreichungsfrist für eine Bewerbung um die Auszeichnung des "Paper of the Month" ist jeweils Ende eines Monats (siehe Bewerbungsformular).
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UKE Paper of the Month June 2026
The exercise hormone irisin has neuroprotective effects in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis
Sina C. Rosenkranz, Joana F. da Rocha, Luis Moreira, Pius Schlachter, Jasmina Bier, Kaela Healy, Daniela Neves Silva, Mohamed Ariff Iqbal, Marjan Gharagozloo, Yueyue Xiong, Matthew A. Murphy, Helena C. Lichtenfeld, Lukas Raich, Michaela Schweizer, Asude Ertaş, Marcel S. Woo, Vanessa Vieira, Samuel E. Honeycutt, James P. White, Gregory A. Wyant, Manuel A. Friese, Peter A. Calabresi, Ruxandra F. Sîrbulescu & Christiane D. Wrann
ABSTRACT:
Aerobic exercise is a disease-modifying intervention in multiple sclerosis (MS) that ameliorates several progressive neurological symptoms in people with MS. Here we show that the exercise hormone irisin mediates neuroprotective effects of exercise in the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model of MS. We demonstrate that voluntary free-wheel running exercise protects against inflammation-induced neurodegeneration in EAE, but these neuroprotective effects are abrogated in mice lacking Fndc5/irisin. Peripheral delivery of irisin increases irisin plasma levels and reduces both clinical symptoms and neuronal loss in EAE. Although peripheral irisin does not alter peripheral and central immune responses in EAE, it induces a direct neuroprotective gene programme in spinal cord neurons and preserves synapses and mitochondrial activity, probably through direct binding to motor neurons. Taken together, these findings suggest that irisin induction in response to exercise confers direct neuroprotective effects in an inflammation-driven neurodegenerative condition, making it an attractive therapeutic candidate for MS.
STATEMENT:
“Our study reveals for the first time a central exercise-induced mediator that directly links physical activity to structural and functional neuroprotection in multiple sclerosis. Exercise is a highly pleiotropic intervention that provides several benefits for people with MS, yet the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. In our study, we provide evidence that irisin may represent one piece of the puzzle in explaining how exercise promotes neuronal survival in inflammatory neurodegeneration.”
BACKGROUND:
This work was conducted at the Institute of Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis (INIMS) at the UKE and at Mass General Brigham (Boston, USA). The study was led by PD Dr. Sina Rosenkranz, group leader at the INIMS, together with Prof. Christiane Wrann and Prof. Ruxandra Sîrbulescu (both Mass General Brigham).Funding was provided by the Advanced Clinician Scientist Fellowship from the BMFTR (iSTAR, 01EO2106), the Gemeinnützige Hertie-Stiftung (P1200012 and P1250014), the German Research Foundation (DFG. 523862973) and the Boehringer Ingelheim travel grant and UKE travel grant.
Nature Metabolism 2026 May 21. Online ahead of print
Congratulations to all authors!
Next PoM: To apply, the publication must have been published in June 2026. Applications will be considered in two rounds of the selection process, i.e. two months. Please send your completed PoM application to Dr. Anne Wulf by 31/07/2026.