title: Attenuation of experimental autoimmune neuritis in the Lewis rat by treatment with an antibody to L-selectin.
abstract: The leukocyte adhesion molecule L-selectin plays a key role in the initial steps of transendothelial migration of T cells and monocytes. In this study we investigated the role of L-selectin in the pathogenesis of experimental autoimmune neuritis (EAN) an animal model of the Guillain-Barré syndrome. EAN was induced in Lewis rats by sensitization with peripheral nerve myelin. Treatment with HRL3, a monoclonal antibody to L-selectin, efficiently suppressed clinical signs of EAN. Histological examination of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) revealed a marked reduction of inflammatory infiltrates and demyelination during treatment with HRL3. We conclude that L-selectin-dependent mechanisms are of pathophysiological relevance in EAN. Modulation of L-selectin in vivo could be a novel therapeutic approach to autoimmune diseases of the PNS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Germany. archelos@mpipsykl.mpg.de
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Archelos
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fortwängler
authors.forename: H P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Hartung
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002420:Cauda Equina / Q000473:pathology; D006224:Cricetinae; D003711:Demyelinating Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D019041:L-Selectin / Q000276:immunology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D009444:Neuritis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000517:prevention & control*; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000473:pathology; D013127:Spinal Nerves / Q000473:pathology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D019041:L-Selectin