Sanna Hagman

I’m the principal investigator (PI) of the Neuroimmunology research group, where our research is focused on investigating the pathogenesis of MS. Primarily, we are interested in revealing the neuroinflammatory mechanisms of the CNS-resident cells astrocytes and microglia in MS as pathological studies have highlighted their role in promoting neurodegeneration and demyelination in MS. 

Our research projects utilize stem cell technology by modeling brain cell functions and developing an in vitro human cell culture disease model. We have produced MS-patient derived human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) lines that are differentiated to astrocytes, microglia and neurons. Our projects are focused on modeling the role of astrocytes and microglia on the inflammatory environment and their crosstalk to peripheral immune cells and neurons in MS. We utilize in our research standard 2D and microfluidics chips techniques. 

Most of my career I have worked with multiple sclerosis research. I have a both PhD and docentship (Adj. Prof.) from the Neuroimmunology field. In the early stages of my career, I studied inflammatory biomarkers of MS in the research group of Neuroimmunology unit. In the biomarker field, my research has also focused on to study microRNAs and adipokines. I have supervised two PhD thesis on this field. Later, I have focused on to study pathogenesis of MS utilizing the stem cell models. Especially, I’m interested to study the role of the glial cells in MS.  

Multiple sclerosis, hiPSC, Astrocytes, Microlia, Disease modelling, microfluidic chips, Biomarkers

Academy of Finland, Päivikki ja Sakari Sohlberg foundation, MS foundation

1. Julia Vistbakka, Marja-Liisa Sumelahti, Terho Lehtimäki, Sanna Hagman. Temporal variability of serum miR-191, miR-223, miR-128, and miR-24 in multiple sclerosis: A 4-year follow-up study. J Neurol Sci. 2022; 442:120395. doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2022.120395.

2. Johanna Lotila, Tanja Hyvärinen, Heli Skottman, Laura Airas, Susanna Narkilahti, Sanna Hagman. Establishment of a human induced pluripotent stem cell line (TAUi008-A) derived from a multiple sclerosis patient. Stem Cell Res. 2022;63:102865. doi: 10.1016/j.scr.2022.102865. (Open access)

3. Tanja Hyvärinen*, Sanna Hagman*, Mervi Ristola, Lassi Sukki, Katariina Veijula, Joose Kreutzer, Pasi Kallio, Susanna Narkilahti. Co-stimulation with IL-1β and TNF-α induces an inflammatory reactive astrocyte phenotype with neurosupportive characteristics in a human pluripotent stem cell model system. Scientific reports 2019;9(1):16944. * Contributed equally in the study. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53414-9 (Open access)

4. Hagman S, Mäkinen A, Ylä-Outinen L, Huhtala H, Elovaara I, Narkilahti S. Effects of inflammatory cytokines IFN-g, TNF-a and IL-6 on the viability and functionality of human pluripotent stem cell-derived neural cells. Journal of Neuroimmunology 2019; 331:36-45.

5. Vistbakka J, Elovaara I, Lehtimäki T, Hagman S. Circulating microRNAs as biomarkers in progressive multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler. 2017; 23:403-412

6. Hagman S, Raunio M, Rossi M, Dastidar P, Elovaara I. Disease-associated inflammatory biomarker profiles in blood in different subtypes of multiple sclerosis: prospective clinical and MRI follow-up study. J Neuroimmunol. 2011;234:141-7.