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Abstract #6208 Published in IGR 2-2
Autoimmune T cells retard the loss of function in injured rat optic nerves
Moalem G; Yoles E; Leibowitz-Amit R; Muller-Gilor S; Mor F; Cohen IR; Schwartz MJournal of Neuroimmunology 2000; 106: 189-197
The authors recently demonstrated that autoimmune T cells protect neurons from secondary degeneration after central nervous system (CNS) axotomy in rats. Here they show, using both morphological and electrophysiological analyses, that the neuroprotection is long-lasting and is manifested functionally. After partial crush injury of the rat optic nerve, systemic injection of autoimmune T cells specific to myelin basic protein significantly diminished the loss of retinal ganglion cells and conducting axons, and significantly retarded the loss of the visual response evoked by light stimulation. These results support the authors' challenge to the traditional concept of autoimmunity as always harmful, and suggest that, in certain situations, T-cell autoimmunity may actually be beneficial. It might be possible to employ T-cell intervention to slow down functional loss in the injured CNS.
Dr. G. Moalen, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Department of Neurobiology, 76100, Rehovot, Israel
Classification:
11.8 Neuroprotection (Part of: 11 Medical treatment)
