The role of interferon-gamma in the pathogenesis of experimental autoimmune disease of the peripheral nervous system.
The role of interferon-gamma in the pathogenesis of experimental autoimmune disease of the peripheral nervous system was investigated. Administration of rat recombinant interferon-gamma markedly augmented both myelin-induced and T-cell line-mediated experimental autoimmune neuritis. Conversely, in vivo application of a monoclonal antibody to interferon-gamma suppressed the disease. Clinical and electrophysiological findings were corroborated by semiquantitative morphometric analysis. Mechanisms responsible for the enhancing effects of interferon-gamma include upregulation of major histocompatibility complex class II antigen expression in the nerve lesion, increased cellular influx of T cells and macrophages, and heightened macrophage activity with enhanced release of toxic oxygen species. These observations establish a pivotal role of the cytokine interferon-gamma in the pathogenesis of experimental autoimmune disease of the peripheral nervous system.
Hartung
H P
HP
Department of Neurology, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, West Germany.
Schäfer
B
B
van der Meide
P H
PH
Fierz
W
W
Heininger
K
K
Toyka
K V
KV
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000502:physiology*; D009444:Neuritis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew
D007371:Interferon-gamma