Efficient central nervous system remyelination requires T cells.
We demonstrate a role for immune functions in the spontaneous remyelination of central nervous system (CNS) axons after lysolecithin-induced demyelination in the spinal cord. Rag-1-deficient mice lack both B cells and T cells and show significantly reduced spontaneous remyelination compared with control mice of matching genetic background. Mice lacking or depleted of either CD4(+) T cells or CD8(+) T cells also exhibit reduced remyelination. These data indicate that T cells are necessary for efficient CNS remyelination. Thus, general nonspecific immunosuppression as a therapeutic approach for the treatment of CNS injury and demyelinating disease may have undesirable effects on subsequent tissue repair.
Department of Neurology, Mayo Medical and Graduate Schools, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. bieber.allan@mayo.edu
Allan J
AJ
Bieber
Scott
S
Kerr
Moses
M
Rodriguez
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D003711:Demyelinating Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008244:Lysophosphatidylcholines / Q000009:adverse effects; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000276:immunology*
D008244:Lysophosphatidylcholines