Balo Disease
Balo disease, also known as Baló's concentric sclerosis (BCS), is a rare demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system. Our company, a leading player in drug and therapy development for autoimmune diseases and inflammation, is committed to providing customized solutions for pharmaceutical companies.
Introduction to Balo Disease
Balo Disease is characterized by the destruction of the myelin sheath, the protective covering of nerve fibers in the central nervous system. This condition is marked by the presence of concentric rings of demyelination, alternating with bands of intact myelin. This unique lesion pattern distinguishes Balo disease from other demyelinating disorders.
Several theories have been proposed to explain the concentric ring pattern observed in Balo disease. One hypothesis suggests that physiological hypoxia within the lesions triggers the expression of stress proteins at the lesion border, leading to the formation of rings of preserved tissue and demyelinated areas. Another theory proposes a link between reduced activity of the mitochondrial respiratory chain complex IV and axonal injury mediated by glutamate.
Fig.1 Histopathological analysis of Balo disease. (Nader Kawachi J. A., et al., 2016)
Therapy Discovery and Development for Balo Disease
Currently, there are no drugs specifically approved for the therapeutic of Balo disease due to its rarity and limited studies. However, various therapeutic approaches have shown promise in managing the disease and alleviating symptoms. Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, are commonly used to reduce inflammation and mitigate the progression of Balo disease. These anti-inflammatory agents target the affected areas of the brain and spinal cord. In addition to corticosteroids, other therapeutic modalities have been explored. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), plasma exchange, and chemotherapy agents like cyclophosphamide have shown potential in managing Balo disease.
As a leading company in the field of autoimmune disease and inflammation, our commitment extends to providing specialized services for Balo disease diagnostics and therapy development. Please click on the links below to learn more about our therapy development services.
Our Services
To facilitate preclinical research and accelerate the development of effective therapies, our company has invested in the establishment of reliable animal models and in vitro models for studying Balo disease. Balo disease models allow us to simulate and understand the disease mechanisms, evaluate drug candidates, and assess their efficacy and safety profiles.
Our company specializes in Balo disease animal model development services, providing mouse models, rat models, and non-human primate models to advance drug and therapy research in this rare demyelinating disorder.
Customized Animal Models
Primary cultures of oligodendrocytes, the cells responsible for myelin production, can be derived from patient samples or animal models to investigate the impact of different genetic or environmental factors on myelin formation and maintenance.
Our organoid model development service focuses on the creation of brain organoids and co-culture systems, providing a more physiologically relevant environment for studying Balo disease dugs and therapies.
Through a multidisciplinary approach, we conduct rigorous investigations to evaluate the safety and efficacy of potential drug candidates, assess their pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, and elucidate their mechanisms of action. Beyond the aforementioned repertoire of services and models, our expertise extends to crafting personalized solutions and designing disease models that impeccably align with your unique needs. If our comprehensive range of offerings has piqued your interest, we wholeheartedly encourage you to connect with us without any hesitation.
Reference
- Nader Kawachi J. A., et al. "Early diagnosis of Balo's concentric sclerosis by diffusion tensor tractography: a case report and literature review." Medwave 16.02 (2016).