Type 1 interferons cool the inflamed brain.
Although interferon-beta is the most popular treatment for multiple sclerosis, its mechanism of action remains enigmatic. In this issue of Immunity, Prinz et al. (2008) elucidate an intriguing portrait of the pleiotropic effects of type 1 interferons in taming brain inflammation.
Axtell
Robert C
RC
Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
Steinman
Lawrence
L
D019264:Adoptive Transfer; D000818:Animals; D015551:Autoimmunity; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000276:immunology*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D004681:Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D017628:Microglia / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000276:immunology; D022423:Myeloid Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D010587:Phagocytosis; D053633:Receptor, Interferon alpha-beta / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D015854:Up-Regulation
D016207:Cytokines; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D053633:Receptor, Interferon alpha-beta; D016899:Interferon-beta