Pathogenesis of Guillain-Barre syndrome.
Guillain-Barre syndrome is a postinfectious disorder caused by an aberrant immune response to an infectious pathogen, resulting in an autoimmune disease. As with other autoimmune diseases of infectious nature, the intricate balance of the numerous factors involved in the immune response may determine the outcome of the interaction between the microbe and host. Recent studies focusing on the role of cytokines and its network of related mediators and receptors suggest that any imbalance may make a significant contribution to the outcome of the infectious disease process. Better understanding of the pathogenesis of Guillain-Barre syndrome may lead to the discovery of newer therapeutics and may also serve as a model for studying other autoimmune diseases.
CNS Infection and Vaccine Preventable Bacterial Diseases, National Microbiology Laboratory, Health Canada, 1015 Arlington Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3E 3R2, USA. rtsang@hc-sc.gc.ca
Raymond Sw
RS
Tsang
Alfonso
A
Valdivieso-Garcia
D015551:Autoimmunity; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018925:Chemokines / Q000502:physiology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology; D005732:Gangliosides / Q000276:immunology; D006017:Glycolipids / Q000276:immunology; D020275:Guillain-Barre Syndrome / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D059866:HLA-DQ beta-Chains; D006801:Humans; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D018925:Chemokines; D016207:Cytokines; D005732:Gangliosides; D006017:Glycolipids; D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens; D059866:HLA-DQ beta-Chains; C069051:HLA-DQB1 antigen