Role of Th1 and Th2 cells in autoimmune demyelinating disease.
Evidence is accumulating that Th1 cells play an important role in the development of multiple sclerosis (MS) and experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), whereas Th2 cells contribute to recovery from disease. A major determinant in the development of Th1 and Th2 cells is the type of antigen-presenting cell (APC) involved and its functional characteristics, e.g., the production of interleukin-12. Therefore, modulation of APC might interfere with the development of Th1 type responses and as such be beneficial for MS and EAE. The potential of cytokines, in particular interleukin-10, and glucocorticoids to exert a selective effect on APC, and as a consequence to affect the Th1-Th2 balance in EAE, is discussed.
Division of Immunological and Infectious Diseases, TNO Prevention and Health, Leiden, The Netherlands. am.nagelkerken@pg.tno.nl
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D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D003711:Demyelinating Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004681:Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000276:immunology*; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*