title: Drosophila innate immune response pathways moonlight in neurodegeneration.
abstract: In this Extra View, we highlight recent Drosophila research that has uncovered a new role for the innate immune response. The research indicates that, in addition to combating infection, the innate immune response promotes neurodegeneration. Our publication (Petersen et al., 2012) reveals a correlative relationship between the innate immune response and neurodegeneration in a model of the human disease Ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T). We also found that glial cells are responsible for the innate immune response in the A-T model, and work by others implicates glial cells in neurodegeneration. Additionally, publications by Chinchore et al. (2012) and Tan et al. (2008) reveal a causative role for the innate immune response in models of human retinal degenerative disorders and Alzheimer disease, respectively. Collectively, these findings suggest that activation of the innate immune response is a shared cause of neurodegeneration in different human diseases.
authors.affiliation: Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology Program, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI USA.
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Petersen
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Wassarman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001260:Ataxia Telangiectasia / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004330:Drosophila / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D018448:Models, Immunological; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000276:immunology*