Cytokine control of inflammation and repair in the pathology of multiple sclerosis

Yale J Biol Med. 2012 Dec;85(4):447-68. Epub 2012 Dec 13.

Abstract

Cytokines are secreted signaling proteins that play an essential role in propagating and regulating immune responses during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), the mouse model of the neurodegenerative, autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis (MS). EAE pathology is driven by a myelin-specific T cell response that is activated in the periphery and mediates the destruction of myelin upon T cell infiltration into the central nervous system (CNS). Cytokines provide cell signals both in the immune and CNS compartment, but interestingly, some have detrimental effects in the immune compartment while having beneficial effects in the CNS compartment. The complex nature of these signals will be reviewed.

Keywords: cytokines; experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis; multiple sclerosis; neuroinflammation.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Cell Compartmentation
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Cytokines / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Immune System / metabolism
  • Immune System / physiopathology
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Inflammation / physiopathology*
  • Mice
  • Multiple Sclerosis / pathology*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / physiopathology

Substances

  • Cytokines