A new method of preventing autoimmune diseases of the brain
Their occurrence and development are caused by problems arising in the mechanisms of the immune system. If the usual inflammatory processes are provoked, as a rule, by foreign microbial and other factors entering the body from the environment, then in autoimmune diseases, the main efforts of the immune system are directed against the body's own tissues.
Why do autoimmune diseases occur? This question worries researchers on different continents, and it seems that its final resolution is still very far away. Nevertheless, some aspects of this problem have been well studied. In particular, it has long been established that there are several tissues in the human body that have antigenic properties, that is, they are capable of causing immune reactions. In healthy people, this does not happen, because immunological tolerance (immune indifference, tolerance) is formed in the body to these tissues. Such tissues include: thyroid gland, eye crystal, brain tissue, sex glands and some others.
Immune tolerance to its own antigens is maintained throughout life by multiple mechanisms that do not allow the formation of special proteins (antibodies) and autoreactive lymphocytes capable of damaging the body's own cells and tissues. If these mechanisms do not work or function insufficiently, then the production of autoantibodies and autoaggressive lymphocytes begins, causing chronic inflammatory processes and destruction of tissue cells.
The mechanisms of maintaining immune tolerance are being closely studied, and this gives certain results. In particular, biologically active substances that affect the formation of T-lymphocytes have recently attracted the attention of scientists. These substances are called CD4 CD25 Foxp3 Tregs. They are able to regulate immune responses. In particular, there is evidence in the scientific literature that autoimmune diseases can develop when these substances are blocked [1].
A very serious human disease is multiple sclerosis, which affects brain tissue. With this disease, immune tolerance disappears and autoaggression against brain cells is formed, which leads to a violation of the reflex and motor functions of the nervous system, the appearance of paralysis of the limbs, immobilization of the body and disability of the patient. Without active treatment, this disease has fatal consequences.
A group of scientists from Germany, Switzerland and the UK led by Stefan Luth conducted a very interesting study, the purpose of which was to study the features of the impact on the mechanisms of development of autoimmune pathology of the brain [2]. In particular, neuro-autoimmune brain diseases similar to human multiple sclerosis were simulated in animals in the experiment. At the same time, the sensitivity of the immune system to a very important component of the nervous tissue - the main myelin protein (MBP) with the formation of sensitized (sensitive) lymphocytes sharply increased.
To correct immunological changes, it was decided to influence the functional state of hepatocytes (liver cells), since they are able to regulate the activity of certain mechanisms of the immune system. During the experiment, scientists managed, by influencing the genetic apparatus of liver cells, to stimulate the active formation of a nerve autoantigen - the main myelin protein. After that, the above CD4 CD25 Foxp3 Tregs were activated and the development of autoimmune inflammation of the brain, i.e. multiple sclerosis, was inhibited.
Thus, it was found that the formation of the main myelin protein by liver cells protects brain tissue from autoimmune inflammation, in particular, from multiple sclerosis. This is a very promising direction in neurology.
[1].J. Clin. Invest. 118:3271-3273 (2008)
[2].J. Clin. Invest. 118:3403-3411 (2008)
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