Neuroinflammation responses and neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis.
Diffuse neurodegeneration is now considered to be the main cause of irreversible neurological disability in multiple sclerosis (MS). Demonstration of a diffuse inflammatory reaction in the MS brain led to the assumption that diffuse neuroinflammation induces diffuse neurodegeneration. Macrophages/microglia accumulate throughout the MS brain and are, therefore, considered the main culprits implicated in the development of neurodegeneration. However, recent advances in the understanding of macrophage/microglia functions and origins have now challenged that view. This report is a summary of these advances, and discusses their contribution to the perception of macrophage/microglia functions in MS-associated neurodegeneration.
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Inserm U842, faculté Laennec, 7, rue Guillaume-Pardin, 69372 Lyon cedex 8, France; University of Lyon, hospices Civils de Lyon, France. serge.nataf@inserm.fr
D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D017628:Microglia / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012016:Reference Values