Clues on inflammation in central nervous system uncovered
October 22nd, 2010 - 5:23 pm ICT by ANILondon, Oct 22 (ANI): Scientists have found a type of cell that may limit inflammation in the central nervous system (CNS)-and could help in the treatment of brain disorders such as multiple sclerosis.
Barrow’s Fu-Dong Shi of the Barrow Neurological noted natural killer (NK) cells, a type of immune cell that destroys tissue that has been infected by pathogens and malignant cells.
While recent research has shed more light on the role of NK cells in other parts of the body, Shi’s research is unveiling important discoveries about how NK cells work in the CNS.
In multiple sclerosis, the body’s immune system attacks myelin, a protective sheath surrounding nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
By studying a pre-clinical model of multiple sclerosis, the Barrow research revealed that enriching an affected area with NK cells improved disease symptoms, while blocking NK cells to the CNS made symptoms worse.
The research indicates that NK cells - especially those that originate in the CNS, as opposed to NK cells from peripheral organs - play a critical role in controlling the magnitude of CNS inflammation and immune response.
“These studies provide novel insight into the biology of NK cells and might lead to the design of NK cell-based approaches for intervention in inflammatory and autoimmune disorders of the central nervous system,” Nature quoted Shi as saying.
“Our findings have important implications for understanding the efficacy of some drugs currently used in CNS diseases such as multiple sclerosis,” added Shi. (ANI)
- Gene therapy boosts cell repair in brain disorders - Feb 12, 2012
- Potential therapeutic target for multiple sclerosis identified - Jan 12, 2011
- Multiple sclerosis 'could be reversed by activating stem cells in brain' - Dec 06, 2010
- Cheese, milk diet vital for smarter brain - Mar 06, 2012
- Boffins find protein that lets brain repair damage from multiple sclerosis - Jun 08, 2010
- Virus infection can incite odd immune cells to attack nerves in multiple sclerosis - Jun 12, 2010
- Saffron may help protect brain cells from lasting damage - Nov 07, 2011
- New study offers hope to those with multiple sclerosis - Feb 24, 2011
- Affordable Indian drugs could cut sclerosis treatment cost - Nov 13, 2011
- Cell transplants to cure cerebral palsy - Apr 20, 2010
- Scientists block multiple sclerosis in mouse model - Mar 08, 2011
- Viagra reverses nerve disease: Study - May 22, 2011
- Gut bacteria affect multiple sclerosis: Study - Jul 20, 2010
- 'Axonal damage is reversible' in multiple sclerosis - Mar 28, 2011
- Potential new multiple sclerosis treatment - Nov 19, 2010
Tags: autoimmune disorders, barrow, brain disorders, cells work, central nervous system, central nervous system cns, clinical model, cns diseases, critical role, immune cell, immune response, immune system attacks, inflammation, malignant cells, natural killer, nerve cells, novel insight, peripheral organs, protective sheath, shi