title: Immune privilege as an intrinsic CNS property: astrocytes protect the CNS against T-cell-mediated neuroinflammation.
abstract: Astrocytes have many functions in the central nervous system (CNS). They support differentiation and homeostasis of neurons and influence synaptic activity. They are responsible for formation of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and make up the glia limitans. Here, we review their contribution to neuroimmune interactions and in particular to those induced by the invasion of activated T cells. We discuss the mechanisms by which astrocytes regulate pro- and anti-inflammatory aspects of T-cell responses within the CNS. Depending on the microenvironment, they may become potent antigen-presenting cells for T cells and they may contribute to inflammatory processes. They are also able to abrogate or reprogram T-cell responses by inducing apoptosis or secreting inhibitory mediators. We consider apparently contradictory functions of astrocytes in health and disease, particularly in their interaction with lymphocytes, which may either aggravate or suppress neuroinflammation.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology, Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196 Dummerstorf, Germany.
authors.forename: Ulrike
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Gimsa
authors.forename: N Avrion
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Mitchison
authors.forename: Monika C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Brunner-Weinzierl
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology; D017209:Apoptosis; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000276:immunology*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000276:immunology; D051381:Rats; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D007371:Interferon-gamma; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor
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