title: Type I/II Interferon Balance in the Regulation of Brain Physiology and Pathology.
abstract: Recent findings have revealed distinct roles for type I and II interferons (IFN-I and IFN-γ) in the recruitment of immune cells to the central nervous system (CNS) and highlighted the importance of this process for brain maintenance and protection/repair. Furthermore, manipulation of IFN-I and IFN-γ pathways in pathological contexts has yielded conflicting results. We discuss these findings, focusing on two distinct conditions; relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and brain aging. Using these examples, we propose that regulation of immune cell entry to the CNS is a mechanism through which interaction between IFN-I and -II can affect brain function from its anatomical borders. Deviation from homeostatic IFN-I/-II balance may contribute to distinct brain pathologies, resulting from either insufficient immune surveillance of the CNS and loss of immune-dependent protection, or overwhelming leukocyte entry and immune-mediated destruction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel.
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Deczkowska
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel.
authors.forename: Kuti
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Baruch
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel. Electronic address: Michal.Schwartz@weizmann.ac.il.
authors.forename: Michal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schwartz
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D015551:Autoimmunity; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D007157:Immunologic Surveillance; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000502:physiology*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000502:physiology*; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D007370:Interferon Type I; D007371:Interferon-gamma
keywords: CNS immune surveillance; aging; choroid plexus; interferons; neurodegeneration