title: Immune system activation in the pathogenesis of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome.
abstract: Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a clinical-radiological syndrome characterized by a variable combination of headaches, seizures, altered mental status, visual impairment, focal neurological signs and symmetric vasogenic edema in bilateral posterior cerebral circulation territory. The pathogenesis of PRES is still controversial. Most of the clinical conditions associated with PRES involve a systemic toxicity response in the entire organism with activation of the cells of the immune system and cytokines. These PRES related conditions induce T cell activation, cytokine release, and subsequent leukocyte adhesion and activation, resulting in endothelial damage and fluid leakage. This potential mechanism of immune system activation and endothelial dysfunction may play a critical role in the pathogenesis of PRES. In this review, the role of immune system activation and endothelial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of PRES is discussed, with the aim to improve our understanding of this disorder.
authors.affiliation: The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550004, Guizhou, China; Department of Radiology, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai 264000, Shandong, China. Electronic address: czgzykdx2016@163.com.
authors.forename: Zheng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550004, Guizhou, China. Electronic address: 13985132152@163.com.
authors.forename: Gui-Quan
authors.initials: GQ
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.affiliation: Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, United States. Electronic address: alerner5@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lerner
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai 264000, Shandong, China. Electronic address: gygb2004@163.com.
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gao
mesh_terms: D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D054038:Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012640:Seizures; D018127:Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D018127:Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7
keywords: Immune system activation; Pathogenesis; Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES)