SCIENTISTS could be a step closer to halting multiple sclerosis in its tracks.

A key protein involved in driving forward the progression of MS has been identified by researchers.

The findings, published in the journal Nature Communications, suggests modern medicine is a step closer to being able to block the development of the disease.

Scotland has one of the highest rates of multiple sclerosis in the world, with around 10,500 people diagnosed with the disease. It is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Researchers say the latest findings could also help scientists better understand how to block other autoimmune diseases.

The protein, CCR2, is a specific 'chemokine receptor' - and is involved in moving the body's immune response cells, the T-cells, around the body when persistent infections are attacking the body.

But the T-cells are also called on when a person suffers from an autoimmune disease like MS, attacking the body's own tissues.

The focus on CCR2 is relatively new, as previous research centred around another receptor, CCR6.

They found that while blocking CCR6 makes MS symptoms worse, blocking CCR2 and diminishing its influence over T-cells could control the disease's progression.

Professor Shaun McColl, of the University of Adelaide in Australia, said: "Everybody has been focusing on the CCR6 receptor as the one to target to control this inflammatory response.

"We've now shown that the receptor to target is actually CCR2. Blocking CCR6 makes the disease worse. If we can find an antagonist to block the CCR2 receptor specifically on these T-cells, we should be able to control the progression of MS.

"We still can't control MS well, there's a great need for new therapies."

The protein is part of a number of discoveries made by researchers searching for the causes of MS.

The Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic was set up at Edinburgh University in 2013 with a £10 million donation from Harry Potter author JK Rowling, whose mother died of MS aged 45.

Researchers there have been looking at increasing the activity of neurons which they believe could stimulate the production of a substance that protects nerve fibres, paving the way for new treatments.

In the latest Australian research, scientists say that as well as offering hope to MS suffers, their findings could also lead to more effective vaccines.

Mr McColl added: "Unlike in autoimmune diseases, where the body's immune response is destroying its own cells and the aim is to block T-cell migration, with persistent infection we want to turn on the super-inflammatory response and enhance the migration of the immune cells to sites where they are needed.

"This research may help guide development of vaccines that can better force that immune response."