Dr. Harris joined the MSRCNY in 2004, where she has been developing cell therapy strategies to treat multiple sclerosis. In particular, Dr. Harris and her team have investigated adult stem cells from the bone marrow an autologous source of cells capable of repair and regeneration in MS. Preclinical studies with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived neural progenitors (MSC-NPs) have shown that these cells are beneficial when administered into mouse models of MS. Injected MSC-NPs were able to migrate to areas of demyelination where they interact with host cells to promote repair. The results of this research have been submitted to scientific journals for publication. In the meantime, this exciting research continues as Dr. Harris and her team try to identify the molecules involved in MSC-NP-mediated repair, so that they can be exploited in future cell therapy strategies.
In an effort to translate the preclinical stem cell research into a phase I clinical trial in MS patients, Dr. Harris has been involved in obtaining IRB approval for a clinical study designed to test the safety and tolerability of intrathecal autologous MSC-NPs in MS patients.
Dr. Harris has had a longstanding interest in stem cell biology and in understanding the mechanisms by which cells differentiate. She received her PhD in Pharmacology from Georgetown University, and her BA in Biochemistry/Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology from the University of Colorado in Boulder. Her training also included a postdoctoral fellowship at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York, where she studied mechanisms involved in the maintenance of cancer stem cells.
In addition to stem cells, Dr. Harris’ research team has focused on discovery and validation of CSF biomarkers in MS. She has been particularly interested in the following biomarkers:
· Bri2-23 in the CSF was discovered at MSRCNY as a potential biomarker for cerebellar impairment and cognition dysfunction. Research is underway to develop an assay for Bri2-23 in order to validate this biomarker in a larger number of patients.
· Fetuin-A in the CSF was also discovered at MSRCNY as a biomarker for disease activity. Current research is focused on Fetuin-A in the EAE animal model of MS in order to understand how immune system pathways are affected by Fetuin-A.
· Intrathecal methotrexate is an emerging therapy for progressive MS. Research is focused on identifying a CSF biomarker of therapeutic response to intrathecal methotrexate by screening patients before and after treatment. Identification and validation of a biomarker for methotrexate treatment will help identify the mechanisms of disease progression in MS.
Biomarkers for neurodegeneration are necessary for following or predicting disease progression. Research is underway to identify and validate an array